facesnorth
Member
So as I mentioned in the home security forum, where I'm seeking advice on a security panel, I presently work in the alarms field, but prior to that, I spent about 4-5 years installing and configuring home automation systems. Primarily Savant, AMX, RTI and URC. I can't afford Savant. AMX can often be purchased affordably through eBay, so it's a consideration. RTI is a strong consideration, since I can get a good discount on their products. I may go with an XP-6 based system. Alternatively, I've been exploring the current DIY options such as Homeseer, Vera, and CQC, but it's been a while since I've really looked into this field, and I'm not quite sure how these stack up. I'd always heard good things about the Elk M1 Gold as a security panel, but it just doesn't seem to offer enough for my taste in automation, and is expensive to use as just a burg panel, so I'm not sure I can justify the cost for that.
These are the various devices I'm looking to incorporate and interact with, and I'd like your opinions on which system you feel may best suit me, both in robustness and room for growth, as well as value.
Security. Have discussed this in the home security forum, but I'm debating either a DSC 1864/32 or an Ademco 20p based system.
Fire. I've read that I should have a dedicated fire panel for smokes (maybe not?), and am looking for suggestions here. Or should I just run my 4-wires into the PGM on the DSC? (or equivalent for Ademco)
Cameras. Probably Hikvision cameras because of the value. I have a lot of experience with Axis, Mobotix and Vivotek cameras, as well as others. I'm exploring dedicated hardware NVR options as well here, since I don't want to straing my NAS.
Doorbell/Intercom to dial my cellphone and show a camera image, and sound chimes over the home's speakers.
Driveway probe. I have experience with Winland (out of production) and Cartell. So I'd prob go with a Cartell unit. I'd like this to sound a chime on my home's speakers and to open the driveway cam on my cellphone and sound a notification. Also to light the driveway floods and walkway path lights if it's dark. RFID would be nice, because then it could be customized based on the driver. But can't justify that expense.
Lighting. I have a lot of experience with RadioRa2 and HomeWorks QS. I've also heard great things about PulseWorx, which I have no experience with. I can get Lutron stuff at a discount, so I'm considering Ra2. While I love QS, it's hard to justify the cost. I was troubled to see that Homeseer doesn't integrate with Ra2. Not sure about the other DIY systems. RTI has no issue there. Love to incorporate shades as well, but again, the cost. I'll prob start with just a dozen switches, half a dozen dimmers, a couple keypads, maybe a couple tabletop keypads for my bed and sitting chair. I'd prob opt to handle the garage OHD using Lutron as opposed to the security panel keyfobs. I also love the Phillips HUE stuff and would love to incorporate this (or something similar/better/cheaper?) into my home using automation.
Music. I really dig Sonos. There's better audiophile options out there, but Sonos is great for the cost and seems to have a lot of control options for integation. I also have experience with Autonomic, which was great but expensive. And Squeezebox, which was great but discontinued unfortunately. Some of the receivers like Yamaha seem to have some cool options, but I like the mobility of a unit like the Sonos Connect. Not sure there's anything better than Sonos right now. I'd prob eventually get 3 of them, one for my wife, daughter and I to use as our own dedicated sources. Though 1 would suffice for quite some time. I store a lot of music on a NAS (around 5TB worth), I also use Pandora, and I'm in the market for a high quality streaming service that I can choose specific songs, and that has a large, eclectic database.
For distribution I'd love to get a matrix of some sort, but good ones are expensive. I really like the ADA Suite 8000 series units. Next might be the RTI units, though not sure I like that it's 25 watts per channel. I could also utilize a used Autopatch with some inexpensive external amplification. I suppose Monoprice, Niles, Russound offer options? Again, I get discounts on ADA, RTI, AMX, etc. In the mean time, I could also just use a cheap analog 1x8 distribution pre-amp that I have to send one source into an 8 channel amp, and control volume via the app.
Speakers. In-ceiling are obviously the most aesthetically pleasing, but I've never loved the sound quality, even with good ones. Also, heating/cooling/energy efficiency is very important to me and it's challenging to seal the joists to prevent air intrusion through the drywall penetrations. However, even bookshelves don't sound great if not positioned properly and the room treated. So ultimately, ceiling speakers may be a compromise I make. I can get a discount on Sonance so I may go this route. There's at least one room I definitely don't want ceiling speakers, so I'm looking for some wall-mounted bookshelf options there. And another 3-season room that I'd similarly need wall-mounted bookshelves with some minor weather resistance. I'm also interested in a yard system. I can't afford the beautiful sonance landscape system. I've also installed Bay Audio outdoor systems, but this is also out of my price range.
Video - eventually a couple of TV's and a projector, at the moment I like the JVC DLA-RS400U for value, and I'll prob pick up an OLED in the next year or 2, whoever emerges as the best. I don't actually have cable or satellite TV, as I cut the cord. I just use a PC and watch video through the web browser, controlled with a DiNovo edge mini. I also use OPPO blu-ray players. I own a Marantz 8801 pre-pro and a Sherbourn 7/2100a. But I'm actually looking to sell the 8801. I prob won't ever buy a high-end pre-pro again, and instead opt for medium end, fully featured receivers, likely Denon or Yamaha.
Electric, propane and perhaps water monitoring via Brultech, or perhaps EKM or TED. I'd like to monitor usage as a whole, as well as for specific high-use appliances or circuits.
Weather station. This is something I'm interested in exploring. Rainwise and Davis both offer very advanced systems with lots of I/O options for automation integration, however I may just go with something simpler. Ultimately, I'd prob just like to have the lights flashed and my phone alerted if something serious is coming. Or be able to use my phone to check my local weather conditions according to my weather system, as well as check the temps and humidity levels of any interior rooms that I have sensors set up in.
For HVAC, I presently use a coal stove to heat, and window A/C units. I'm looking to install a multi-split system, either Mitsubishi or Fujitsu. While I understand there are control options for these units, I actually here they are best set and forgotten. So I'm not sure there's entirely much benefit other than being alerted if there's a problem, which any temp sensor could also manage.
Leak detection in the basement. I have experience with the Winland Waterbug WB-200 with 6 sensors, so I'll probably incorporate the same system.
Eventually like to get an outdoor hot tub, so perhaps would incorporate some Jandy controls, which is the only one I have experience with, but I'm open to suggestions.
I don't expect to ever have an irrigation system, but who knows, maybe we'll get the green thumb one year.
These are the various devices I'm looking to incorporate and interact with, and I'd like your opinions on which system you feel may best suit me, both in robustness and room for growth, as well as value.
Security. Have discussed this in the home security forum, but I'm debating either a DSC 1864/32 or an Ademco 20p based system.
Fire. I've read that I should have a dedicated fire panel for smokes (maybe not?), and am looking for suggestions here. Or should I just run my 4-wires into the PGM on the DSC? (or equivalent for Ademco)
Cameras. Probably Hikvision cameras because of the value. I have a lot of experience with Axis, Mobotix and Vivotek cameras, as well as others. I'm exploring dedicated hardware NVR options as well here, since I don't want to straing my NAS.
Doorbell/Intercom to dial my cellphone and show a camera image, and sound chimes over the home's speakers.
Driveway probe. I have experience with Winland (out of production) and Cartell. So I'd prob go with a Cartell unit. I'd like this to sound a chime on my home's speakers and to open the driveway cam on my cellphone and sound a notification. Also to light the driveway floods and walkway path lights if it's dark. RFID would be nice, because then it could be customized based on the driver. But can't justify that expense.
Lighting. I have a lot of experience with RadioRa2 and HomeWorks QS. I've also heard great things about PulseWorx, which I have no experience with. I can get Lutron stuff at a discount, so I'm considering Ra2. While I love QS, it's hard to justify the cost. I was troubled to see that Homeseer doesn't integrate with Ra2. Not sure about the other DIY systems. RTI has no issue there. Love to incorporate shades as well, but again, the cost. I'll prob start with just a dozen switches, half a dozen dimmers, a couple keypads, maybe a couple tabletop keypads for my bed and sitting chair. I'd prob opt to handle the garage OHD using Lutron as opposed to the security panel keyfobs. I also love the Phillips HUE stuff and would love to incorporate this (or something similar/better/cheaper?) into my home using automation.
Music. I really dig Sonos. There's better audiophile options out there, but Sonos is great for the cost and seems to have a lot of control options for integation. I also have experience with Autonomic, which was great but expensive. And Squeezebox, which was great but discontinued unfortunately. Some of the receivers like Yamaha seem to have some cool options, but I like the mobility of a unit like the Sonos Connect. Not sure there's anything better than Sonos right now. I'd prob eventually get 3 of them, one for my wife, daughter and I to use as our own dedicated sources. Though 1 would suffice for quite some time. I store a lot of music on a NAS (around 5TB worth), I also use Pandora, and I'm in the market for a high quality streaming service that I can choose specific songs, and that has a large, eclectic database.
For distribution I'd love to get a matrix of some sort, but good ones are expensive. I really like the ADA Suite 8000 series units. Next might be the RTI units, though not sure I like that it's 25 watts per channel. I could also utilize a used Autopatch with some inexpensive external amplification. I suppose Monoprice, Niles, Russound offer options? Again, I get discounts on ADA, RTI, AMX, etc. In the mean time, I could also just use a cheap analog 1x8 distribution pre-amp that I have to send one source into an 8 channel amp, and control volume via the app.
Speakers. In-ceiling are obviously the most aesthetically pleasing, but I've never loved the sound quality, even with good ones. Also, heating/cooling/energy efficiency is very important to me and it's challenging to seal the joists to prevent air intrusion through the drywall penetrations. However, even bookshelves don't sound great if not positioned properly and the room treated. So ultimately, ceiling speakers may be a compromise I make. I can get a discount on Sonance so I may go this route. There's at least one room I definitely don't want ceiling speakers, so I'm looking for some wall-mounted bookshelf options there. And another 3-season room that I'd similarly need wall-mounted bookshelves with some minor weather resistance. I'm also interested in a yard system. I can't afford the beautiful sonance landscape system. I've also installed Bay Audio outdoor systems, but this is also out of my price range.
Video - eventually a couple of TV's and a projector, at the moment I like the JVC DLA-RS400U for value, and I'll prob pick up an OLED in the next year or 2, whoever emerges as the best. I don't actually have cable or satellite TV, as I cut the cord. I just use a PC and watch video through the web browser, controlled with a DiNovo edge mini. I also use OPPO blu-ray players. I own a Marantz 8801 pre-pro and a Sherbourn 7/2100a. But I'm actually looking to sell the 8801. I prob won't ever buy a high-end pre-pro again, and instead opt for medium end, fully featured receivers, likely Denon or Yamaha.
Electric, propane and perhaps water monitoring via Brultech, or perhaps EKM or TED. I'd like to monitor usage as a whole, as well as for specific high-use appliances or circuits.
Weather station. This is something I'm interested in exploring. Rainwise and Davis both offer very advanced systems with lots of I/O options for automation integration, however I may just go with something simpler. Ultimately, I'd prob just like to have the lights flashed and my phone alerted if something serious is coming. Or be able to use my phone to check my local weather conditions according to my weather system, as well as check the temps and humidity levels of any interior rooms that I have sensors set up in.
For HVAC, I presently use a coal stove to heat, and window A/C units. I'm looking to install a multi-split system, either Mitsubishi or Fujitsu. While I understand there are control options for these units, I actually here they are best set and forgotten. So I'm not sure there's entirely much benefit other than being alerted if there's a problem, which any temp sensor could also manage.
Leak detection in the basement. I have experience with the Winland Waterbug WB-200 with 6 sensors, so I'll probably incorporate the same system.
Eventually like to get an outdoor hot tub, so perhaps would incorporate some Jandy controls, which is the only one I have experience with, but I'm open to suggestions.
I don't expect to ever have an irrigation system, but who knows, maybe we'll get the green thumb one year.