I have too many moving parts and not enough free time to make the best choices. Has anyone used a consultant in Houston they care to recommend? I believe micasaverde is the best set-up for my situation, but I need to completely redesign my electronic footprint. Here’s the setup:
Home: inner loop, currently using Clear Internet and basic DISH network for TV. AT&T phone is virtually useless but could include a landline as part of a bundle. Currently have no automation, but antique front door locks are failing and need replacement. I am most interested in Yale NFC lock. I’ve been procrastinating about the internet choice but know it HAS to go as upload speeds are really substandard.
Weekend: rural E. Tx, just purchased a lake home and need home automation/security setup there as well. Monitoring service is out due to remote location, but I want to be able to allow access and record events from external cameras and sensors. Plan to be there about 2 weekends per month. Ability to stream live sports is a necessity (considering DISH hopper in Houston and remote streaming to lake) but that requires robust internet service. Lots of options and the monthly costs may quickly spiral out of control and/or face compatibility issues if not carefully selected.
I’d really appreciate any feedback you’d care to give.
While your situation sounds interesting and something I’d like to respond to, I find the post to be a mish mash of a bunch of things. Could you categorize and itemize them so we can better help you? Could you please be a litle more descriptive about what it is exactly you wish to accomplish with Vera?
The problem is that selection of Vera (or another software) is not independent of the other variables.
Before I can finalize the selection of automation software, the appropriate internet connections must be obtained, both for inner loop Houston and rural SE Tx.
That same internet arrangement must integrate with TV and streaming video for family entertainment. And it would be nice if it was cost effective, i.e., less than full cost for 2 houses.
With that many interrelated decisions, I’m having a hard time deciding which one to lock down first, hence the request for a consultant to list out the pros/cons of each selection and any compatibility concerns.
I hope that helps to diagram out my question. I’m not expecting anyone on the forum to analyze all of this and recommend a solution. But do you have a consultant recommendation? Or any major decision points I should not overlook as I tackle the 3 major electronic pieces of this puzzle? TIA
I see, I think…
Well as far as internet service is concerned there’s not much I personally can tell you as I don’t live anywhere near you. You will have to talk to your local ISP’s for that one. I’m not sure that hiring someone would give you any benefit over taking an hour and talking to sales representatives from your local vendors.
Your third point is again not clear to me. Are you looking for a consultant to help you decide on home automation software? If so I imagine that there are people out there who do this but HA is pretty DIY at this point in time unless you go full bang with Crestron or the like. And even then you get less functionality than you would from hobby HA with a tool as limited as even Vera is.
Unless you need really specific and complex configuration capabilities Vera will work well for you. Your choice of a HA solution has nothing to do with your internet service. HA is HA. Internet service is internet service.
Internet:
I’m actually here in Houston as well. For internet here in Houston I would go Comcast based on internet performance but I don’t watch much of their TV service since everything I watch is streamed from Netflix/Hulu/Navi-X on AppleTV or XBMC.
Starting Point:
Most people I have helped have wanted to start out with the basics and add as they see what Vera can do. The basic setup will normally be Vera Lite / Thermostat / Deadbolt locks / IP Cameras. Your next step is based on what is more important, home monitoring or control.
For monitoring, if you don’t already have an alarm system get one. You don’t have to have it monitored with ADT or Comcast you can get a system from homesecuritystore.com, go with a DSC system for vera compatibility . Alarm system motion sensors and Door/Window sensors are better, faster and cheaper then wireless Z-Wave devices. After you have the alarm system you will need the EVL-3 ($99) module to put in your alarm panel that will allow Vera to have access to all motion sensors, Door/Window sensors and the ability to arm/disarm your alarm.
For Control, this part gets a little more tricky based on the wiring in your house and if you are using CFL or LED lighting. I like having the ability to turn on lights at 20% at night when Vera detects me getting up to get a drink in the middle of the night vs 100% but you have to be careful with the equipment you choose to have this control. If you just want to turn lights on and off than it is simple, just use relay switches. Your next issue with Lighting Control will be 3-way and 4-way lights, you will need to get the appropriate switches and auxiliary switches and again this is where wiring in the house is important because most systems will require a neutral wire for the switches.
Cameras:
You will want IP Camera’s and a Windows computer at each location to record the video locally. For cameras you have may different choices depending on your price range. If you are going for cheap yet still good quality and capabilities than I would recommend Foscam 8910 (~$75) or 9821 (~$125, 720p, H.264). Both of these cameras are hardwired or WiFi, have Night Vision, Pan & Title and two way audio. If you want higher quality cameras and don’t mind spending about 3x the cost than I would go with Dahua HD Camera’s. I use a NVR (Network Video Recorder) software called BlueIris and it works great and only cost $49 for a license to record 64 camera’s.
I started out with a basic setup and have since tied in my alarm system and automated every light in the house, only have 3 ceiling fans left, I have probably spent about $1,000 - $1,500. This stuff gets very addicting but is much cheaper than a Control4 solution which normally starts at $20k - $30k and can go over $100k.
If you need more help getting things setup or consulting services then send me a PM to discuss in detail. If you like to tinker and have the time though you may find it more fun doing it yourself with the help of everyone on the forum. This forum was THE deciding factor to go with Vera as my Home Automation choice, the people here are a huge help and vast knowledge source.