RE: Hello All! I'm looking for advice!

["Paul Gale" <groups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I'd also say increase the Cat5 dramatically - cheap to do but a real
pain afterwards - I thought I'd put enough in (around 5 Km!!!) with 2-4 and
even 6-8 points in some places - this STILL wasn't enough as it's just so
versatile for all kind of uses - Ethernet, RS232, A/V via Kat5 units
(RGB/YUV/SVid/Aud/SPDIF etc over Cat5), all kinds of sensors,switches etc.

Really is worth it - even if you coil spares up behind the wall/outlets.

As Chris mentions, also run some (mains rated) to all light switch points -
gives flexibility for future use - think about VGA touch screens there too
- you may need two Cat5 cables - one for VGA and another for RS232/USB
extender for the touchscreen.

You may also want to think about whole house audio. Some systems (like my
Russound CAV6.6 use Cat5 for the keypads).

Paul.


> -----Original Message-----
> From: ukha_d@xxxxxxx [mailto:ukha_d@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
> john855042
> Sent: 14 January 2007 11:29
> To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> Subject: [ukha_d] Hello All! I'm looking for advice!
>
> Hello All,
>
> I hope you can offer me some advice as I take my first steps into the
> world of home automation!
>
> First - about me - 10 years engineering in the following fields,
> CCTV, Data networks, Telephone systems, Alarm systems, Distributed TV
> systems, Electronic design (embedded controllers). For the last 6
> years I have been involved in medical instrumentation, but still keep
> an active interest in all my old fields. I have currently around the
> house 4 PC's not including work laptops, and I have built them all
> from scratch, and spend a lot of time tinkering. I would hope then
> that I have at least some of the skills required to design and fit a
> HA system!
>
> I'm moving into a new house in the coming weeks and I have realised
> that all the systems that I want - CCTV, Security, Telephone, Video
> Door Entry, Distributed AV and Heating control could all be
> integrated into a HA system. I used to fit most of the above systems
> as separate entities so I have my own ideas about the kit required
> but I need a rethink when it comes to HA.
>
> Hopefully someone can offer advice on the best system to use. On my
> wishlist -
>
> HDTV in Living room  - to have Sky HD and Xbox 360 connected (xbox360
> is a MCE client) - PIP for video door entry and CCTV events
> Media Server (MCE/TVersity?)/HA server
> CCTV (2-3 cameras)
> Alarm System (panel to interface to HA?)
> External Lighting & control
> IP phone system?
>
> I want to be able to distribute Sky - maybe via IP or Svideo. At the
> moment HD will only be in the living room.
>
> I would like something like wall mounted `clients' - touchscreen LCD
> perhaps, that can interface with the server to control events,
> display video or send AV to other local displays. I'm thinking of
> nanoItx PC's with Linux webbrowsers and Lilliput touchscreens.
>
> OK- what I really need to know first is what wiring recommendations
> should I follow to cover every eventuality. I'm thinking of 2 Cat5e,
> 2 audio, and 3 or 4 RG59's to every client point from the patch
> panel. I don't want to have to pull up floorboards and chase walls
> twice. (my wife wouldn't stand for it!)
> Also any suggestions on the viability and software choices of my
> project would be welcome.
>
> Thanks in anticipation,
>
> John
>
>
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>