LMCE-compatiable control devices for lighting, projector screens, and shades

[E-Monster]

I've been a MythTV user for almost two years.  A fellow co-worker and MythTV user pointed me at the LinuxMCE video, which seems to be a great step above Myth to get to my dream home theater set up.  I have an area framed up in my basement, and was just looking into adding lighting, a projector screen, and (small) window coverings.

Understandably, there has been a lot of talk about video, audio, and computer components that work well with LinuxMCE, but does anyone have any insights on remote-control devices to control lighting, motorized projector screens and motorized window screens that work well with LinuxMCE?

I've looked at what's available through the Z-Wave web site, but I'm interested in anyone's first-hand experience.

[tschak909]

The nice thing about LinuxMCE, is that you can mix and match interfaces to all the major lighting and control systems very easily.

For controlling the curtain/drapes, I recommend a Global Cache GC-100 interface, attaching a drape motor with a dry contact connection to one of the three relay ports on the -12 or -18 model. For lighting, Z-Wave and Insteon work extremely well.

-Thom

[ihome]

Hello:

I'm a Home automation integrator!
My experience is over the EIB/KNX system, with this protocol you can control, Lights, Dimmers, Scenes, Shutters (motors), Havac or underfloor heating, etc.....

That EIB/KNX is a standard of Home Automation , the first in the world, and Linux have direct drivers!

I'm waiting a device, a RS232 -EIB/KNX gateway that arrives tomorrow, i hope, to test the direct connection to Linux MCE.

With this you can control all the house, with only one User Interface!

Regards

JS

[Zaerc]

I'm just talking to someone in the chatroom who is involved with Freebus an open system compatible with EIB/KNX.  Looks very interesting so I thought I'd just mention it here.

[1audio]

ZWave stuff works and is more reliable than X-10 communications BUT the ZWave code in LinuxMCE needs an overhaul. LinuxMCE supports a number of systems and systems with straightforward RS232 interfaces can be implemented pretty quickly by experienced programmers (DDamron demonstrated this with Insteon).

I have a lot of ZWave stuff working here and most has been troublefree for me.

[wackychimp]

(I came here today to specifically research this topic.    )

Since these units cost so much more ($30-$45 for a light switch), I want to be sure to invest in the right infrastructure.  Seems like X-10 is fading and not always reliable.  Insteon looks better to me but maybe doesn't have full support in LMCE.  ZWave seems popular in Europe and I don't really know much about it.

What home automation technology has more longevity... so I don't have to throw out my $40 switches in 3 years?

[tschak909]

again, who says you have to throw them out?

LinuxMCE supports a variety of busses, all of them simulateneously, and will send the appropriate commands to the appropriate interfaces.

[1audio]

Its interesting that regular switches can last 90+ years but electronics have a 3 year life expectancy. The two problems here are that first the technology moves faster than our expectations. The ten year old ZWave switch will still probably control the light but will definitely be well behind the curve and may not be compatible with the new stuff ten years from now. A cheap switch (and $35 is a cheap electronic switch) may not last that long.

I have been told by insiders in the commercial market that control systems are not expected to last more than ten years. But thats because there will be a remodel or a new tenant. When i posed this question to a specialist in ultra high end home installs ($100K+), the answer was essentially the same. Except the life was more like 5 years before a move. It must be nice to have that much money.