RE: Intro/question

[Mike Griffiths <mike@xxxxxxx>]

Title: Message

I think you have hit the nail on the head
It is expensive but it doesn't have to be!
The biggest problem is getting the automated commands out into the real world
A lot of people start with X10 as the initial interface is cheap
The problem is each light or appliance then costs about £30 to control

As your background is Computers you should be able to handle a interface card http://www.sylvacontrols.com (as an idea of type)to control relays and get some inputs
For about £7:50 you can buy Mains Din mounted relays which work out a lot cheaper than X10

Then you just have your controller
Homeseer http://www.keware.com/ and Ace http://www.honesoftware.com/ work out as very good reasonably priced software solutions

The other option is if you have to put an alarm system in the house buy Comfort Alarm http://www.comfort.org.uk
This then will control lots of stuff for you and connect easily to your PC for full automation control with ACE http://www.honesoftware.com/ as the interface

If you want to spend a lot then go the HomeVision route http://www.csi3.com/homevis2.htm

Heating is as complicated as you want to make it
But a temp sensor controling a relay on the boiler will work.

http://www.kat5.tv/ give you Audio and video distribution and a fast PC from ebay add some stripped drives and a tv card and you should be able to make a TiVO , and winamp doubles as a hifi system( well nearly ) and a cheap radio connected to the audio in of your PC and http://skyhawktech.com/ will record all your radio progs

There's lots to play with
These sites will give you an idea of costs
http://www.laser.com/
http://www.letsautomate.com/
http://www.maplin.co.uk/
http://rswww.com/
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk

Hope this helps
Mike





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