So, first off, I apologise for ANOTHER one of these threads!
I've been reading through some of the posts on the forum here and I wanted to get some opinions!
I've been dipping my toes into some HA stuff for a while now, and back in the day used to have a rather complicated MisterHouse setup (anyone remember that!?)
Since moving a few times, I haven't bothered rewiring or setting up anything fancy in terms of HA, but I have managed to get some server-action on the go.
I now have a home-made rack unit (think ikea parts) which contains my Mac mini server, Drobo storage, Time Capsule for wifi, powerline ethernet and distributed power. It runs Plex as well as some web services and media automation stuff, and I am able to stream from it to any of our computers, iPhones, iPads, Airport Express' and two Apple TVs in the house.
When I DID have some lighting control in the house, I used to use simple X10 devices, and used to love using the "Shion" bit of software, which enabled me to write real simple AppleScripts of what I wanted to achieve/run and then link these to web apps.
Right, that aside... I want to add some lighting control to the house, and have been considering the options.
I really only have a few criteria, of which some are more important than others.
I have been looking at LightWaveRF after reading through the review from this site and the recent posts about them, and have been very tempted to pop down to my nearest B&Q and plonk down some money.
It looks great, and from the reviews I have seen, fits SOME if not most of my criteria, the only missing being the reporting and API. (I'd really like to be able to write my own web app to control this stuff. See above re:Shion)
Now, I don't know how many of you have been on their site recently but I did notice that they said they were working on new products which would be out "First Quarter 2013".
Does anyone have any info on this or what we could expect? (My other gripe about their site is that their pictures of the "App" are NOTHING like what is actually available.)
Aside from that does anyone have any recommendations for me on good systems?
I've even been investigating things like Phillips HUE and the upcoming Spark (http://www.sparkdevices.com)
Any input would be great, thanks guys!
I've been reading through some of the posts on the forum here and I wanted to get some opinions!
I've been dipping my toes into some HA stuff for a while now, and back in the day used to have a rather complicated MisterHouse setup (anyone remember that!?)
Since moving a few times, I haven't bothered rewiring or setting up anything fancy in terms of HA, but I have managed to get some server-action on the go.
I now have a home-made rack unit (think ikea parts) which contains my Mac mini server, Drobo storage, Time Capsule for wifi, powerline ethernet and distributed power. It runs Plex as well as some web services and media automation stuff, and I am able to stream from it to any of our computers, iPhones, iPads, Airport Express' and two Apple TVs in the house.
When I DID have some lighting control in the house, I used to use simple X10 devices, and used to love using the "Shion" bit of software, which enabled me to write real simple AppleScripts of what I wanted to achieve/run and then link these to web apps.
Right, that aside... I want to add some lighting control to the house, and have been considering the options.
I really only have a few criteria, of which some are more important than others.
- Easy to retro-fit
- Won't break the bank
- Controllable by iOS/Web
- Open API/Choice of software
- Feedback/Reporting
I have been looking at LightWaveRF after reading through the review from this site and the recent posts about them, and have been very tempted to pop down to my nearest B&Q and plonk down some money.
It looks great, and from the reviews I have seen, fits SOME if not most of my criteria, the only missing being the reporting and API. (I'd really like to be able to write my own web app to control this stuff. See above re:Shion)
Now, I don't know how many of you have been on their site recently but I did notice that they said they were working on new products which would be out "First Quarter 2013".
Does anyone have any info on this or what we could expect? (My other gripe about their site is that their pictures of the "App" are NOTHING like what is actually available.)
Aside from that does anyone have any recommendations for me on good systems?
I've even been investigating things like Phillips HUE and the upcoming Spark (http://www.sparkdevices.com)
Any input would be great, thanks guys!
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