RE: I Need some REAL Advice !! Please HELP.

["Andy Laurence" <andy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

From: rocky_sondhi [mailto:rocky_sondhi@xxxxxxx]
> I have already cabled the house with CAT6 - therefore have network
> connections in each room.

Did you run cables to the light switches though?  That's the one I missed
:-/

> Lighting

No direct experience with any of them.  They either don't fit my
requirements or are far too expensive.  I've conditioned SWMBO to turn off
lights when leaving the house as an interim solution.

> IR Repeaters

I think Frank's FIRM solution is the holy grail here, unless someone wants
to correct me.  It's a zoned IR distribution system that can interface with
HomeVision or another serial device.

> I have a Tablet PC and 2 x iPaqs, Does anyone have any
> recommendations in terms of SOFTWARE ? and can I use it to control
> all the AV/Lights etc etc + do I need a USB IR Extender as the IrDA
> port maybe weak on the Tablet PC ???

Personally, I'd use a wireless network and a web server.  That way you make
just one change rather than three when you change the layout.  Also, you
only need one bit of hardware connected to the webserver.  As a bonus, you
could login to your webserver from anywhere to check house status.  WAP on
your mobile anyone?

> I got a PC with loadsa MP3s/Video's/Games upstairs - can I pipe this
> to anyroom (Please note I have just cabled my house with Cat 6) - so
> I can access the resources via ethernet anywhere BUT do I need a
> seperate AMP in each room EXPENSIVE ? - or is there a cheaper way I
> can do this - Maybe using Windows XP Media Centre and a Remote
> control to select music/tv/vids/pics/Internet ? or xBox's in each
> room ?

My solution is to use the TV for audio/video, but that may not be suitable
for everyone.  Alternative solutions are an amp and speakers in each room,
or a centrally located multizone amp with speakers in each room.

> How would I control all of this ? "Gooba" from AV Forum uses
Homeseer
> as the back-end and main lobby as the nice front end ??
> Any Ideas or Pointers will be great. I really need some help as there
> are so many things you can do !!! I just need some focusing and
> ADVICE !!

I really like Xlobby.  It's so configurable.  I'd make sure all your
solutions are xAP/xPL enabled and use a command-line tool to control it
from Xlobby.  That way, everything will stitch together, and your
tablet/IPAQ can use it too.  It's nicer looking than a web page, and
utterly skinnable too.

Cheers,
Andy
--
http://www.andylaurence.co.uk