[no subject]

So let me jump in and suggest that this would be a propitious time to consider
what software and(or) firmware you will use to control it all. For
simplicity's sake, let me assert that the following categories are useful:

1) High end proprietary systems, eg  www.Crestron.com , www.AMX.com. These
appear to be out of your price range because typically the entry point is in
the several $K.

2) The "I'm a wiz at C++ (or VB.net, or Forth or whatever), so I'll code it up
myself next weekend" approach. You are a professional, so 'nuff said.

3) PC-centric (aka "federated") systems that depend on a PC in operation 24x7.
(Given your web site, this may hold no terror for you.)  Two Wintel contenders
in this arena are www.Homeseer.com and www.charmedquark.com . There are others
that have come and gone (www.premisesystems.com, now apparently available
free) and others that don't quite make it in my opinion ( eg HAL from
www.automatedliving.com ) and others that are Linux based (visit
http://www.linuxha.com/ . I have experience with the first four listed. If
your interests revolve around AV, take a good look at Charmed Quark. Homeseer
supports more hardware and has a larger installed base but is still working
out stability and driver issues from the last version upgrade.

4) Panel-centric in which a central controller like an Elk MG1
http://www.elkproducts.com/products/m1/M1_Control_Family.htm or Omni Pro
http://www.homeauto.com/Products/HAISystems/omniSystems.asp  runs 24 x7 on
firmware but not necessarily a PC. These have evolved so that they can become
part and parcel of a PC-centric system via (eg)  Homeseer or Charmed Quark).

One reason for examining the software early is that unless you intend to enter
that black hole of writing your own drivers, the hardware (security systems,
thermostats, I/O controllers, IR, lighting, AV video, intercom, etc) what
specific hardware your chosen software already supports may be more important
than the sometimes minor difference between hardware systems/brands. You can
avoid some religious wars over hardware preferences in this way.

(Both Robert and I have one of the hardware controllers, and I also use
PC-centric software with external commercial and homebrew hardware
controllers.)

Hope This Helps ... Marc
Marc_F_Hult
www.ECOntrol.org