Rako integration

[V15]

Hi everyone

I'm currently at the very early stages of planning my HA system.

The plan is to have media directors throughout the house for video, with a sonos system for audio.

Next, I would like to have some lighting control.  At the moment, we just go round the room turning on different strategically placed lamps.  What I want is a lightswitch with several buttons at the door to the room that will let me pick scenes.  I don't want to do any wiring if I can help it (though it's an option), so rf would be ideal.

The closest that I think I've come to suit my needs is the rako series.  I figure with a single switch, a ceiling module, and a few lamp modules, I can create 4 scenes that will do pretty much what I want.

The only problem is that there doesn't seem to be much/any integration with linuxmce.  Whilst it's not top of the priority list, I would like to have the option.  I have searched the forums and the wiki, and there doesnt seem to be any codes posted.

So, question 1 is: has anyone managed to integrate rako fully yet?  I'm only a linux virgin, so got a long way before I can do anything! (haven't even finished installing mce yet!)

and question 2: is there a better system that I should consider?  Basically, I want the scene control from a "normal" switch (for WAF), but ideally to be integrateable with MCE.  From the wiki, I think Insteon and z-wave are the most integrated, but I couldn't find anywhere (in the uk) offering much of these systems.  In particular, I couldn't find an easy way to have a "normal" scene control switch in the room.


TIA

Ian

[tkmedia]

Funny on the timing of things I just went to Vizia rf certification training at Leviton yesterday and they have Zwave scene and zone controllers. that do exactly that.
You will need think essentials software to program the controllers.
I see no reason why those controllers couldn't coexist in a lmce environment.
however the same could be achieved through lmce with out the controllers.

The vizia RF line is very nice but not cheap. (but those rako don't look cheap either)

I will be adding some Vizia products to my webstore very soon.

HTH

Tim

[V15]

Great news indeed!  I've just had a quick look, and realise you're in the States.

I think this is a daft question, but do the US and UK z-wave modules work together?  I think I read that they don't, due to using different frequencies of rf wave, but I've read so much lately, I could be getting confused!

Assuming that they will work together, do you ship to the UK?

I'll have a look to see if I can get hold of these locally, but there's very little in the way of z-wave over here

[tkmedia]

Yeah after hitting the post button I saw your were from the U.K.
You do need EU freq. I know their usb stick is available with UK freq.
I will look into the scene controllers ... but have a bad feeling. I will chk and post back.
If anyone else knows please chime in.




Tim