SmartHomeUSA.com Home Automation

[rykow]

I am a noob and am looking for resources to decide on several aspects of starting a project for automation. I have searched the net but find most sites outdated.
I have lots of experience with computers and networking so my first inclination is to select software based system. I am looking for ways to research what is the best path to take either a hardware or computer based system or both.
I would like to start with the basics, keep my initial investment to a minimum (in case it's wrong and I have to scrap it). Then add to build it over time.
I am also curious as to how I would (or could) integrate my current alarm system (it's old but still supported by ADT and they are no help).
I am also trying to figure out if I should consider X10 or go completly wireless. I am leaning toward wireless as this is going into an existing home, but then again I have cat5 cable running throughtout most of the home to connet all the computers and connet my media player to my network because of speed issues I have with wireless, but don't see running wire to each switch.
From what I can figure out it seems the best equiptment is available via professional home installers but I am an avid do it yourselfer. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Ralph]

Well...where to start?

For a computer based system I definitely reccomend the Homeseer software. It's a definite all in one solution for all home automation.

http://www.smarthomeusa.com/ShopByManufacturer/Keware/Item/HOMESEER-V2.0/

As far as integrating your security with your home automation, I would say take a look at the ELK M1G SYS4, it integrates nicely with Homeseer, and it will accept the hardwired sensors from your old alarm system. I can tell you from past experience that ADT will not support ELK. The last explanation I received from them was that they only support the boards they install.

http://www.smarthomeusa.com/ShopByManufacturer/ELK-Products/Item/ELK-M1GSYS4/

As for the wired vs wireless for lighting, I would wait. March will be the month (allegedly) that Leviton, Intermatic, Monster and several other players in the Z-Wave alliance will release new product. This will make the RF switches almost as impressive as the level of X10 products available.

The cat5 isn't required for the lighting, it will come in handy for the HVAC for temperature sensors and low voltage thermostats/wall dislay units as well as touch screens and audio systems.

Basically its going to be hard for you to find a place to begin because there are so many options. I think since you have already mentioned the interest in starting from a network standpoint that Homeseer is an excellent place to start.

From there I think X10, Z-Wave and UPB are all easy to install and for the most part are based solely on preference versus technology.