Automated Home Forums http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/ On the web since 1996, Automated Home is the centre of the UK Smart Home community. Our most popular features are the regularly updated News Section, Reviews, Wiring Guide, Mailing List and these Forums - www.AutomatedHome.co.uk en Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:45:24 GMT vBulletin 30 http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/images/misc/rss.jpg Automated Home Forums http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/ Sensing if a device is on / standby / off http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2841&goto=newpost Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:56:31 GMT how about 1) doing all the programme recording scheduling in Cortex (with a macro to make it as simple as possible) ... hmm, not heard of people... how about

1) doing all the programme recording scheduling in Cortex (with a macro to make it as simple as possible) ... hmm, not heard of people actually doing macros with the necessary API links, so this might need some help from the Idratek guys !

or

2) have power-down done by Cortex - ie: when user pushes a button, or the room's been empty for a while, Cortex looks at the schedule, makes a note of timings, and powers the set-up down, with a delay if something's recording, and powers-up again ahead of the next recording ... hmm, moacros & help needed again, probably !

and

3) link Cortex via API etc to Current Cost software & its hardware, which has a hacking community & soon ('though they've said that for quite a while now) will include appliance monitoring (http://www.currentcost.com/products.html) ... hmmm, macros & help, again ! ]]> Idratek chris_j_hunter http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2841 to make or buy a cat5 gadget http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2840&goto=newpost Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:03:19 GMT Yes, I've had a good ol' google and have found that whilst there is a lot of choice in cat5 to phone "receivers" the same isn't true with "senders"

In the end I've decided that buying beats building and am probably going to go for one of these and a double phone adaptor

http://www.run-it-direct.co.uk/bttorj45PS.html ]]> General Discussion back_ache http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2840 Mounting patch panels ... http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2832&goto=newpost Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:05:35 GMT Tim - many thanks ... interesting, neat idea, neat box, too, and price seems not too-bad, 'though it adds-up when all the bits & pieces, shelves etc, are included ... they'd need space to swing which, as with you, could be difficult ... can't help feeling, too, that (all) cabinets tend to be very cramped, making installation difficult & cooling sometimes an issue ...

hmmm ... our garage wall is big & spacious, and the bigger stuff (like those cabinets) could be put above shoulder-height to keep them out of the way, it's not central, making for longer cable-runs ... but we've some landing wall-space on each floor that is more-so - an alcove at the foot of the stairs in the basement that's 1100mm wide & 500mm deep & might take a lot of the electrical stuff (left-half for power, right-half for signal, and HA bits & pieces in each), a differently-shaped alcove on the middle floor, and my mini-study on the top floor, one directly above the other ...

ie: we could have CU(s), patch-panels, & some equipment, on each floor, radial connections to everything on that floor, and vertical interconnects between floors ...

eg: on the top floor : a CU connected radially to everything on that floor, with a power-feed from the floor below; two patch-panels, one connected radially to everything on that floor and another providing connections to (another on) the floor below, with patch-leads joining the two going - via a network-switch on a shelf in appropriate cases ...

'favoured approach for the basement alcove, at the moment, is to run three 4x2 timber posts vertically, stood a bit forward of the back wall, and span patch-panels & shelves & mounting boards between them ... patch-panels up-high on the right, screwed to the front-edges, & well separated (so can reach behind & later coil excess lead into the space, out-the-way); mounting boards (for CUs etc) on the left & screwed to the back-edges of the uprights; and shelves (for equipments) to left & right, mostly down low, but also at other heights - and slotting-in (so can be removable) & projecting forward (for good depth) ... and a simple panel across the front to keep dust & inquisitive fingers out ... and a cooling air-flow arrangement (dedicated MVHR bottom supply & top extract) ...

and variations on the theme for the other two floors ...

the idea being, obviously, to have everything accessible from the front, making replacing or adding things & re-patching in the future as easy as it can-be ...

most of the HA modules will be distributed about the house, on a free-toplogy bus, but some will be in the CUs, some on the boards and some on the shelves ...

patch-panels would be through-coupled, for ease of wiring in the cramped space & the ability to buy the leads ready-made (any excess length coiled into the space between panels, as above) ...

glass for the front-panels might be good, smoked or lightly obscured, to keep things visible in a SWMBO-friendly way ...

it's a great theory, anyway !

as soon as the builders have finished some heavy work (it goes-on forever, it seems, but October, hopefully, so have time to check all the sizes & lengths) we'll be doing this, unless in the meantime someone has a better idea, or can see a catch ...

NB: CableNet & Homestead seem to do OK Cat-5 & Cat-6 through-coupled patch-panels & patch-leads from short to v.long (with various options, including colours & snagless connectors, unbranded & Belkin) at prices that seem affordable :

http://www.cablenet.co.uk/catalogue/...atch-leads.htm

http://www.homestead.co.uk/productsl...ialoffer=False

there could be others, too, I guess ... ]]> General Discussion chris_j_hunter http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2832 Home Automation / Media Streaming - managed or unmanaged switch? http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2838&goto=newpost Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:55:20 GMT Unmanaged switches are fine for small networks and some large ones. And most PCs these days allow you to set the speed. I've used unmanaged switches on large data networks of about 20 or so computers. Without problems. But these only ever really surfed the net and accessed print servers and file servers. So no great data rates.
Also what format will most of your video media be in. HD or standard, and what format do you intend to store them in. And what is the worse case scenario for network load. As how many video streams could be playing at once. I think this will give you more of an indication of what type of switch or router you will need.
What are you thinking of using as your media streamer. ]]> General Discussion toscal http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2838 Electronic Thermostatic Radiator Valve System http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2839&goto=newpost Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:16:51 GMT Can anyone help I am looking at replacing all the radiator valves with electronic versions I have 8 rooms or zones and 9 radiators one with out a... Can anyone help

I am looking at replacing all the radiator valves with electronic versions
I have 8 rooms or zones and 9 radiators one with out a valve as it’s the loop. The boiler is an LPG Ferrolli combi boiler 4 years old and we have a Honeywell thermostat.

What I would like is a temp sensor in each room and individual controls per room but - and this is the bit I am stuck on is, we use the rooms not routinely so would like some sort of remote device to turn on or off certain zones as the time oriented only settings will prove hard to use. We also do not have regular home times running your own business does this to you so master all zones off bi- passing the timers.

Not necessary looking for the cheapest option but the most cost effective. ]]> Heating Control Chilypalmer http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2839 Plex iOS App Video Walk Through http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2837&goto=newpost Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:58:58 GMT You asked for more info - you got it. Check out our 3 minute video walk through of the brand new Plex streaming media centre app on the iPad and and... You asked for more info - you got it. Check out our 3 minute video walk through of the brand new Plex streaming media centre app on the iPad and and iPhone...

http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/New-P...k-Through.html

M. ]]> General Discussion Otto-Mate http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2837 Plex Reveal Awesome iPhone iPad iOS Streaming Media Centre App http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2836&goto=newpost Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:06:13 GMT Around the time the developers were bringing Plex 9 to life, Apple announced the iPad. The chat in the Plex inter-sanctum was feverish as people... Around the time the developers were bringing Plex 9 to life, Apple announced the iPad. The chat in the Plex inter-sanctum was feverish as people imagined how great it would be to have Plex 9 - with all its cover-art and meta data goodness, available on the new Apple tablet. So a secret project within a secret project began and the beautiful Plex app was born...

http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/New-P...entre-App.html

M. ]]> General Discussion Otto-Mate http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2836 19 inch VGA LCD touch screen http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2835&goto=newpost Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:10:57 GMT Saw this. ... Saw this.
The stand looks quite good, and it may be possible to wall mount. ]]> Bargains toscal http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2835 Plex 9 Media Center Rocks Our World http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2834&goto=newpost Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:03:55 GMT While updates to Plex have slowed during 2010, the developers haven't been slacking. On the contrary - they've been beavering away, putting in late nights around the world's time zones from Hawaii, North America, Europe and New Zealand. The reason? A project code named 'Alexandria', a ground-up rewrite of the library that's at the heart of the system and that promises to take the Plex Media Center to the next level...

http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/Revie...Our-World.html

M. ]]> General Discussion Otto-Mate http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2834 iRule Remote for iPad/iPhone/iPod http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2833&goto=newpost Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:04:43 GMT That looks very good and very professional. Move over AMX or Crestron expensive control panels time to make way for iPad. That looks very good and very professional. Move over AMX or Crestron expensive control panels time to make way for iPad. ]]> General Discussion toscal http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2833 Fused spur http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2830&goto=newpost Sun, 29 Aug 2010 12:39:34 GMT Karam,

I've re-read the "Connecting to Ring and Radial Circuits" and the follow-up document on the DRH installation makes more sense. If I understand correctly then the DRH uses a radial principle so the fused / switched fused spur is needed to change the ring main into a radial spur. The generic doc shows a fused spur off an existing double socket, but normally I'm replacing the double socket with a fused spur and the radial comes out of the fused spur into a dual patress with individual switch control from the DRH.


Picture copyright of Idratek, source Connecting to Ring and Radial Circuits

The situation for an SRH is different because it can be more easily wired to maintain the ring and provides fused protection.


Picture copyright of Idratek, source How To Wire SRH-002 Modules

Paul
Attached Images
File Type: jpg radial.jpg (13.5 KB)
File Type: jpg srh.jpg (16.9 KB)
]]> Idratek Paul_B http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2830 Touch-sensitive switch ... http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2775&goto=newpost Sat, 28 Aug 2010 22:00:19 GMT looks like they offer a blank faceplate option, now, too ... http://www.touchswitchesdirect.co.uk/#pricelist looks like they offer a blank faceplate option, now, too ...

http://www.touchswitchesdirect.co.uk/#pricelist ]]> Idratek chris_j_hunter http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2775 Various items for sale http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2831&goto=newpost Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:30:27 GMT I've been clearing out my cupboards in readiness for a renovation project. The following are up for offer/swap etc before posting to ebay. Drop me a PM if you are interested in anything. Please note I am not currently in a position to test any of these items so your mileage may vary.

Thanks

1 x Tivo Series 1, 120gb, turbonet, no subscription
1 x Philips RU940 Pronto and charging dock
1 x ePodsOne + cisco aironet 340 pcmcia card
2 x Home Control X10 Mini Timer (MT7222)
2 x Home Control X10 CM12U PC interface
1 x Home Control X10 TM12U Tranceiver
3 x Home Control X10 LM12U Lamp Module
3 x Home Control X10 AM12U Appliance Module ]]> Buy / Sell broadk http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2831 Newbie, new house, new everything http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2825&goto=newpost Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:00:58 GMT [QUOTE=aledkthomas;13001] ... I am also going to run speaker cable from every possible location back to node zero ...

for good clarity, speaker cables are also best kept short - explanation here :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damping_factor

guidelines here :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speaker_wire

so locate amplifier close to speakers or use active speakers !

balanced-line distribution of audio signals is best - see the sections on audio systems & baluns here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balanced_line

ie: more Cat-5 ! ]]> General Discussion chris_j_hunter http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2825 For Sale - X10 Modules http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2795&goto=newpost Sat, 28 Aug 2010 05:52:17 GMT Hi Aled This is what I have left with an idea of pricing:- 10 off AD10 - DIN rail mounted Appliance Modules - £5 ea 2 off TM13U - Single... Hi Aled

This is what I have left with an idea of pricing:-

10 off AD10 - DIN rail mounted Appliance Modules - £5 ea

2 off TM13U - Single House Code X10 RF Radio Receiver and X10 Appliance Module - £5 ea

1 off SW10G - Motor Drive Wall Switch - £10 ?

1 off FD10 - DIN Mounted X10 Filter - £5

Phil ]]> Buy / Sell pjcolley http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2795