Automated Home

Apple TV V2.3 Update - the Good & the Bad

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:44:00 +0100

Last night Cuppertino released the latest upgrade for the Apple TV. V2.3 has some interesting new features - like support for IR remotes other than the standard Apple one, but there are downsides too - it breaks the XBMC and Boxee installer...

Aviosys IP Power 9212 Review

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:55:58 +0100

The Aviosys IP Power 9212 is an inexpensive way to add 8 inputs and 8 outputs to your home automation system that are network addressable either from your LAN or from anywhere in the world via the Internet. Read on for the mini-review...

Innovus Home Automation with Logitech Squeezebox

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:37:59 +0100

What do you get if you cross the Logitech Squeezebox Duet with the Innovus Z-Wave House Controller and some custom software? Home Automation of course! The new Innovus and Logitech package includes the special Innovus MyHome Plug-in software for the Squeezebox Duet controller...

Plex Seven Brings Media Player Nirvana

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:12:44 +0100

Plex, the media player / library manager for the Mac just hit another major milestone with the release of v0.7.0. The whole community has been working hard on the latest release and as part of the testing team Automated Home can report with some authority that this thing rocks!Undoubtedly the biggest new feature in this release is the addition of “Media Server” allowing you to play back all your DRM'd iTunes music plus a whole host of other features like great audio and video podcast support...

New Idratek DFP-H02 Multifunction Module

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:20:01 +0100

IDRATEK have provided us with some photos of their (now in production) multifunction user interface module - the £228 DFP-H02. This device is the replacement for the MFP range and provides the same comprehensive range of sensors including light level, temperature, humidity, PIR, general purpose digital inputs, an IR transceiver and audio I/O, but there the similarities end...

Format Factory - Free Video and Audio Convertor

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:02:41 +0100

Converting video formats is one of the banes of the digital home. Transcoding video files to .mp4 format (H.264) to work on the unmolested Apple TV for example can be a royal pain. Mac users have long had the solution in VisualHub (although sadly no longer in development). In a recent episode of the Windows Weekly podcast there was a recommendation for Format Factory and after some playing with this free app, it does indeed appear to be the windows tool I've been looking for...

New Xtreme X38HD Multimedia Player

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 08:01:38 +0100

The Xtreme X38HD is a new high definition multimedia player with support for H.264, SATA and HDMI. With a front mounted 2 TFT LCD display and space for an internal hard drive the X38HD has enough connectivity on the back to satisfy the biggest of geeks...

Crestron TPS-6X Touchpanel Coming In White

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 07:00:00 +0100

We reported back in June on the gorgeous new TPS-6X touchpanel from Crestron. Now the company have announced a new white version of the 5.7 active matrix colour touchscreen coming in December...

Inexpensive 3 Way Remote HDMI Switcher

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Marmitek have announced a new inexpensive 3 way IR remote controlled HDMI Switcher. The 40 Euro (around £33) Connect310 is a 3 to 1 v1.3 full HD device that allows you to connect multiple sources to a single HDMI port on your display device and then switch between them remotely....

Dynalite DDMC802GL Multipurpose Controller

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Dynalite’s new all-purpose module is flexible enough to accept up to four dual-channel or two quad-channel plug-in modules/cards for different loads. This allow its channels to be used for many different functions, including dimming or automation of blinds, curtains or fans etc. This means no more unused channels, as can happen with conventional single function units...

DomotiGa - New Open Source Linux Home Automation Software

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:02:29 +0100

DomotiGa is a new Open Source Home Automation package from the Netherlands. Written in Gambas basic and almost ready for release, DomotiGa supports X10, RFXCom, Oregon sensors, BlueTooth, Asterisk and many other hardware devices...

Sonos Release Free iPhone Controller App

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:42:58 +0100

So as if to prove his point, a day after our Masked Installer's piece on how the iPhone and iPod Touch are becoming such great Smart Home controllers, Sonos release their free app to control their multiroom music system...

The Masked Installer - the iPhone in the Smart Home

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:29:24 +0100

This time our Masked Installer gives us his candid take on how the iPhone (and iPod Touch) is shaping the way his clients control their professional custom installed smart home systems and how it really could be the device that changes people's perception of Home Automation...

AlertMe Add More New Features

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 22:00:00 +0100

Our friends over at AlertMe continue to improve and develop their smart home security system. Recent additions are a beautiful new interface for the iPhone (other phones supported soon), the announcment of an API for developers to interface to the system and most interestingly news that SmartPlug is on the way...

1TB "Green" Hard Drive Bargain

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:06:05 +0100

Here's the perfect companion for your new Drobo or other storgage device. Amazon are currently offering the Western Digital Green (reduced power consumption) drives for £70 including VAT and free delivery (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000X4PJG8?ie=UTF8 tag=markmccall linkCode=as2 camp=1634 creative=19450 creativeASIN=B000X4PJG8) ! We run these drives ourselves here at AUtomated Home, they're quiet, fast and HUGE!

DroboApps Turn NAS into Multifunction Home Server

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:00:00 +0100

This morning, Data Robotics have officially launched DroboApps. Since the announcement of the Drobo SDK beta back in July, over 100 developers have signed up for the program producing around 20 applications for the unit. Amongst these are several applications that will already appeal to the Smart Home enthusiast. uPnP, iTunes and DLNA apps all help to transform the Drobo from a storage device into a media server…

TV Catchup Streams 15 Live UK TV Channels

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 07:05:31 +0100

Back at the start of the year we ran a review of the TVCatchup service. We ended our piece with a prediction that the suits might spoil the fun and it turned out just that way. But now TVCatchup is back, no longer an on-line PVR, but now free live streaming of 15 UK TV channels. Read on to get one of our invites to the beta...

Ecobee Launch Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 09:51:43 +0100

As winter edges closer for those of us in the northern hemisphere, thoughts once again turn to heating our homes. This new device promises cost saving and its touch screen beauty along with wi-fi connectivity will give you access to your HVAC system from the Internet ...

Can You Help With Channel 4 Hi-Tech Security Systems Documentary

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:44:06 +0100

We've been contacted by BAFTA award winning documentary makers, Century Films for help with their next project, and it's right up our street! They're keen to talk to Home Automation enthusiasts who have fitted, or are about to fit high tech smart home security systems in their home. Read on for all the details on how you can help...

New Version of KNX/EIB MiniController

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:48:52 +0100

Tekniska Byrån has updated its MiniController software with a more contempary interface and and additional smart functions. The PC software has language support for English and Swedish and can control the most common functions in smart buildings via KNX/EIB..