Here's a set of three videos from Custom Controls showing recent integration projects for smart home lighting and security systems as well as the Spotify streaming music service.  Watch the other two videos after the jump...

Using a Crestron touchpanel to select mood lighting scenes as part of a Crestron Greenlight system. Also shows how easy it is to create custom mood lighting scenes and instantly recall at the touch of a button.

It's not easy to buy something for the gadget lover who already seems to have everything - so here are 10 easy Christmas gift ideas - either to buy for your loved one or too leave a subtle hint for the clueless looking for something for you!  Smart Home gifts from under £20 to over £700...

The guys at TotalApps.net are quick off the mark with their review of last nights release of the Apple TV v3.0 Software.

"The free software upgrade features a redesigned main menu that makes navigating your favorite content simpler and faster, and makes enjoying the largest selection of on-demand HD movie rentals and purchases, HD TV shows, music and podcasts from the iTunes Store even better on your TV."

Our feelings for Z-Wave are pretty clear here at Automated Home.  While we love the technology and feel its a worthy 21st Century replacement for X10, we hate the fact that despite the years and the promises, the UK still has a pitiful offering of hardware.

Videos like this beautiful new one from Coco just remind us how poorly the UK market is served.  Come on Z-Wave manufacturers - the UK is waiting.

COCO- Controlled Comfort

Update 1 - Is the COCO system Z-Wave power or another wireless technology?  Leave a comment if you know. 

Update 2 -  Looks like COCO is using system same / similar to the HomeEasy range

BroadbandSuppliers.co.uk is a one stop shop for all things broadband. Be it the latest news concerning the broadband sector, even-handed expert reviews or customer reviews, they have it all. But broadband comparison is their forte, almost all of the UK's ISPs are clearly compared by type (broadband packages, home, mobile, unlimited, business and broadband bundles) and by speed...

We've just got the skinny on another great discount voucher code deal.  This time it's the top of the range, colour touchscreen universal remote, the Logitech Harmony 1100.

CLICK THIS LINK then use voucher code "HARMONY9" at checkout. Valid until 27th September 2009.

So, you have a nice HiFi and you've ripped your entire music collection in uncompressed WAV format.  You also have full ISO images of all your DVD movies and of course you'll need lots of space for ripping HiDef Blu-ray flicks too.  So what sort of space is it going to take - allowing a little room for expansion of course - and how do you run a server like that at home...

Automated Home and our forums are back after a server outage of around 12 hours.  Apologies for the downtime.

Here's an interesting new video which gives a good look around an American Home Automation installation.  Some of the subject touched on are star wiring, CCTV installation (with power over CAT5), wall mounted touch screens, security and HVAC...