
itschris
Moderator
I'm going to start looking into a home automation/security PC build. Anyone have any ideas?
If you don't want to DIY and you want a complete solution look here: Life|wareI'm going to start looking into a home automation/security PC build. Anyone have any ideas?
I didn't even realize Liftmaster/Chamberlain had those $38 light switches! I will get some from Home Depot. This will save me $179 since I won't need VeraLite.For lighting and entry I use lift master LiftMaster MyQ Technology and MyQ Accessories | LiftMaster I can control my driveway gates, garage doors, driveway lights, entry way lights, and a few other things with it from my phone, also my car clicker will control it all too if I am close enough...
More? I'm all eyes and ears.They have a bunch more coming out, I don't know why they dont market this stuff better, its inexpensive and reliable...
I'm interested in the front door intercom also.They are going to be making a few more my q items, not just the light switches and door openers, they are going to do a system that allows people to communicate with you from your front door, so if the ups guy comes to your front door he can press the door bell and you can talk to him from anywhere in the world {smart phone}, they can essentially think you are home so you can say "leave the package at the back door", and if someone comes to your house rings your bell you can find out who it was... That will be handy and I will be getting it when it comes out.
Also I was told they are going to produce an easy way to integrate an existing alarm into their app, it was explained to me as just a voltage sensing unit that goes on your siren so if the siren is energized the my Q alerts your phone, pretty simple and also handy for older alarms that can only alert the monitoring service... also handy
There was a couple more things like intercom functions that sounded cool, I use their gate openers and love them but use a separate intercom to know when people want to get in the gate, having it all in one would be nice, plus I hate the intercom we have, it has already broke twice and its not that old...
I asked the rep at the home show if they would ever do a power blind control and more home automation options and he said they are feeling the market out.. IMO them are the most sought after options, motorized blind control, integrated alarm, power building access {garage doors, gate, and exterior doors in general}, HVAC control {just use a tstat there are a few nice ones out there now}, intercom, video, and property damage control { the 3 f's, fire, flood, freeze}....
Being able to turn on faucets, every light in the house, or tv is just over kill to me, and there are too many things that can go wrong, driveway and entry way lights are handy, I know some people like to have a tv on a timer so burglars think they are home, but they sell "fake tv" light kits, that make the room look like it has a tv on and they have them with timers, and there are a ton of options for getting around burglary, alarm and video being the best....
Most B & E guys are strung out drug addicts that can't spell alarm never mind disable one of the entry level systems now available...
Anyway, home automation is going to get easier and cheaper, verizon offer home control with their monthly cell and fios services.. Verizon Home Monitoring and Control | HomeControl | Residential Support | Verizon
Just installed 2 Chamberlain light switches. Easy install. Easy control of lights using iPad/ Android.I didn't even realize Liftmaster/Chamberlain had those $38 light switches! I will get some from Home Depot. This will save me $179 since I won't need VeraLite.
I will return the other light switch from Amazon.
I still cannot believe how easy and inexpensive it is!nice I love the myq stuff, very very well designed... home automation made easy and inexpensive