RE: 'Ello

["Des Gibbons" <des@xxxxxxx>]

> > For most of what you want, Cat5 will be perfect, audio, PC,
Telephones,
> > S-Video( www.kat5.tv ), alarm signalling, 1-wire network, etc
etc. The
> only
> > problem is working out how much and where.
>
> Much as I imagined.  However, I wasn't aware I could easily transmit
audio
> from one location to be played on speaker in another, via CAT5.
> Anyone care to elaborate ?

There are a few options:

Kat5 - for transmitting line-level audio from a source in one location to
another. ( needs AMP in destination) (I think, Keith ? )

Rio Receiver/Audiotron - for playing mp3/wma from a server ( Audiotron does
streaming which may allow more than mp3/wma playing)

It really depends on what you want to do? A lot of people swear by
twin&earth for speaker cabling.

>
> > You may also need screened multicore for the alarm system, but
> the cabling
> > for the alarm system should be designed for the alarm system,
> you won't be
> > moving PIR's and magnetic sensors around ;)
>
> Okey doke - that was really an afterthought anyway, ie something
*else* I
> could do to extend the whole-house scenario.  My flat is on the 2nd
& 3rd
> floors (top floors) and has only one (easy) point of entry - the
> front door,
> which is a half doubleglazed thing with no handle, only a keyhole, on
the
> outside.  The only major benefit I can see from an alarm system at
present
> is the impact on my insurance.  However, I've not been burgled, so I
guess
> it's probably best to be pre-emptive on this :-)  A separate plan for
the
> alarm is in order methinks.

Comfort is the alarm of choice on here due to its feature set, X-10 ability
and expandabilty. As an integral part of your system it opens up a lot of
possibilities and options. Homevision is another product that gets a lot of
rave reviews. Maybe you should have a look at the websites for them and
think of features you definitely want in your HA setup.

>
> > As far as the control of lighting/heating and other appliances,
you have
> > X-10 which is cheap-ish and reliable-ish ;) or a hardwired system
e.g
> C-bus.
>
> I think it's going to have to be X10, bearing in mind I'm in a
leasehold
> flat.  I've no problems expending the effort for network and tv and so
> forth, but bearing in mind the relative costs of X10 vs hardwired,
it's
> probably not worth it in a retrofitting scenario like this (IMHO
> of course).

Makes sense!

> I've also had a look at Homeseer and the appeal of a PC based control
> solution (especially considering I have a permanent internet
connection
> (ADSL)) is quite strong.

One point, a PC based system will be less reliable than a dedicated HA
controller. Even ignoring Operating system :) For me the cost savings are
enough to ignore this point ;)

>
> > Have a look at Mark McCall's site www.automatedhome.co.uk/wiring
which
> > should give you a headstart.
>
> Where do you think I got this list's address from :-)  That was the
site
> that finally convinced me to go ahead and get my backside in gear to
do
> this.

Mark says the tenners in the post ;)

>
> So, questions then :
>
> As above, how can I easily transmit audio from a source to speakers
over
> CAT5?

If what you want to do is have a souce in one location and speakers only in
another, I would go with twin&earth or 500 strand, oxygen free,  triple
screened, waxed with whale jism,  PRO speaker cable ;)


> Are there any more "discreet" X10 units available than those
clunky socket
> interfaces that I've seen on various sites, ie something that could be
> buried in the wall between cable and socket

There is one x-10 module that fits in a double socket cavity, but it only
allows one available socket for use :/ Have a look on the usual places,
www.laser.com and www.letsautomate.com for more info.

> For cable TV, I'm assuming I'll need a separate receiver for each
> location I
> want to be independent?  IE I don't want to be restricted to what is
on in
> the lounge if I'm watching in bed.

For cable TV (you mentioned ADSL before, If its available _I_ would go for
the cable modem instead) if you want to watch more than one channel at a
time you will need suitable receivers and subscriptions in each location.
>
> Ta for the help so far.

Hey, no problem, glad to help.

Des