Wide Open Question(s)

[Trevor Daniel]

Hi,

If you were to open a showroom intended to display the latest abilities of
Home Automation, who would you talk to first?

Is there anyone out there who has any experience of seamlessly integrating
HA solutions with Microsoft Media Center?

Anyone heard of www.convergex.co.uk ?

Again, if you were to setup a showroom for HA. You might have to demonstrate
total home video. what might be the options be over (a) wireless, (b)
CAT5,(c) CAT6?

Anyone managed to get their hands on a "Microsoft Media Centre Extender" in
the uk yet?

Anyone heard of www.hush-technologies.com ? - like their kit?

Anyone got Sky connected to Microsoft Media Centre via either
RF/svideo/Composite ?

Why does my wide hate my girlfriend?

hehhehe


Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated

Trev

[Robert Bonomi]

In article <ct14i0$k12$1@hercules.btinternet.com>,
Trevor Daniel <spam@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>Hi,
>
>If you were to open a showroom intended to display the latest abilities of
>Home Automation, who would you talk to first?

1) me
2) myself
3) I

But, then, I know what I'm doing in such things. <grin>

>Is there anyone out there who has any experience of seamlessly integrating
>HA solutions with Microsoft Media Center?

Not me. I use _reliable_ system components.

>Anyone heard of www.convergex.co.uk ?

Nope. but I'm on the left side of the big pond. :)

>Again, if you were to setup a showroom for HA. You might have to demonstrate
>total home video. what might be the options be over (a) wireless, (b)
>CAT5,(c) CAT6?

For video:

distribution over:
coax cable
twisted-pair cable
RF
Infra-Red

'at set' "media converters" to adapt distribution to set input requirements

'head end' switching/selection between disparate sources.

video (baseband and broadband) 'distribution amplifiers' to allow feeding
multiple devices from single source.

RF 'demodulators' (to convert an incoming RF signal to 'baseband' video)
RF 'modulators' (to convert a 'baseband' signal to RF for distribution)

computer-generated 'overlay' of data on top of an _existing_ video signal,
for remote display.

computer-generated "picture in a picture" -- to insert one source _into_
another one; e.g. shot from a 'front door' camera, when the doorbell rings.

Audio is a whole separate kettle of fish.

As is telephone.

As is 'intercom'.

For 'total home automation', you also want to be able to show off:
HVAC controls:
heat/cool mode switching
heat/cool on/off
ventilation on/off (ideally independent of the heat/cool on-off, lets one
wait for the heat/cool to become effective before starting to move air;
and to keep moving air after the heat/cool cycles off, reclaiming the
residual 'delta temperature' in the heat plant)
ventilation selectivity -- ability to heat/cool *some* areas while not
sending heat/cooling to other areas. Or to adjust the share of the
heat/cooling going to particular areas. Necessary for, for example,
keeping 'occupied' rooms more 'comfortable' than un-occupied ones.
climate monitoring (interior _and_ exterior),
motorized window curtains and blinds.
room occupancy sensing. for lighting and HVAC controls, etc.
'security system' components
telephone-line 'call out' to security monitoring service, and/or others
RF notification to security monitoring service, and/or others
(what if thieves cut the phone wires _first_?? )
alarm devices -- sirens, horns, lights, etc.
'control' devices -- system arm/disable, 'panic button', etc.
'biometric' identification for controls -- fingerprint scanners, etc.
perimeter sensors
door sensors (exterior and interior)
window sensors
glass-break sensors
pressure sensors
motion sensors
"flood" detectors -- for basements, etc.
fire sensors
smoke sensors
Carbon-monoxide sensors
etc.
etc.

"Fancy stuff", maybe to include:
water flow monitoring at any/every 'devices', with computer-controlled
shut-off in the event of 'overflow' situation detection.
Electrical consumption monitoring (instantaneous, and integration over time)
for 'operating cost' tracking.
Water consumption monitoring (both 'total' and "hot water"), again, for
'operating cost' tracking.

"(Almost) Beyond the state of the Art":
'smart' door locks, electrical switches, etc. that operate _only_ when
an appropriate RFID 'tag' is near by. said tag being embedded _under_the_
_skin_. The thing works only if -you- are operating it.

>Anyone managed to get their hands on a "Microsoft Media Centre Extender" in
>the uk yet?

I'm not in the U.K., so I haven't tried to get one in the UK. Wouldn't try to
get one, anyway. (lotsa help aren't I? <wry grin>)

>Anyone heard of www.hush-technologies.com ? - like their kit?

>Anyone got Sky connected to Microsoft Media Centre via either
>RF/svideo/Composite ?

haven't tried. Wouldn't try.

>Why does my wide hate my girlfriend?

*THAT* is simple!

Your girlfriend stole your wife's boyfriend, then dumped him when she
hooked up with you.


P.S.: I think I'm better off without *either* of 'em in my life. <smirk>

[Tyson]

You should contact Scott or Jeff @ www.ocautomation.com

The number is on the website.

~Tyson

"Trevor Daniel" <spam@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:ct14i0$k12$1@hercules.btinternet.com...
> Hi,
>
> If you were to open a showroom intended to display the latest abilities of
> Home Automation, who would you talk to first?
>
> Is there anyone out there who has any experience of seamlessly integrating
> HA solutions with Microsoft Media Center?
>
> Anyone heard of www.convergex.co.uk ?
>
> Again, if you were to setup a showroom for HA. You might have to
demonstrate
> total home video. what might be the options be over (a) wireless, (b)
> CAT5,(c) CAT6?
>
> Anyone managed to get their hands on a "Microsoft Media Centre Extender"
in
> the uk yet?
>
> Anyone heard of www.hush-technologies.com ? - like their kit?
>
> Anyone got Sky connected to Microsoft Media Centre via either
> RF/svideo/Composite ?
>
> Why does my wide hate my girlfriend?
>
> hehhehe
>
>
> Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated
>
> Trev
>
>
>
>
>