newbie- home auto diy question - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

takeaim · 2012-08-16, 07:57 AM

out of curiousity, do you require a controller for a system? ie the veralite for zwave

or as long as you have a wireless router are there apps, webbased systems that you could send wireless signals through your iphone to your lighting system etc?

thanks

mpovolo · 2012-08-20, 07:22 AM

As far as I know you need a controller

KenN · 2012-08-20, 02:13 PM

I can only speak to Insteon setups ... you don't "need" a controller but it adds a great deal of flexibility for any programming.

To set up Insteon devices, you need as a minimum, the Homelinc software. This will allow you to send the pre-set dim level and ramp rate to each dimmer. This programming, once complete, resides in the dimmer. If you want to set up any controller/responder links, this will also be done using Homelinc and resides in tables in the devices, so once Homelinc is disconnected this will still work.

A controller such as the ISY994 or the Vera3 allows the same programming to devices as Homelinc, and also runs the If-Then-Else programming logic. So if you want anything to happen outside of the device-resident settings and tables above, you need a controller. So if you want the kitchen lights to turn on automatically in the morning for breakfast, or motion detectors to turn on lights if it is after sunset, or an email to be sent when there's a fault, any of this event-based stuff must be programmed into a controller.

takeaim · 2012-08-21, 07:41 AM

and that controller can't be a home computer with software?

aartech · 2012-08-21, 10:20 AM

You can absolutely use a home computer as your automation controller. You'd need a computer interface for ZWave or Insteon depending on what you're trying to support, and then the software. Check out Homeseer, mControl, and search out some possible free ones as well. On the Mac, Indigo is excellent for Insteon.

Some people like using a computer because it's already in the home, but of course it needs to be left on 24/7 to run any daily routines/schedules and macros/triggers/events. If you already leave it running as a server then that's great.

Other folks prefer a hardware controller because A) they are typically lower power devices, B) they are stable (no windows updates/viruses, no-one accidentally powers them down). That's where VERA, ISY99/ISY994, Hometroller hardware boxes come in to play.

I'd first try to decide which technology you're using then see which controller has the best support for it.

I hope that helps.

Cheers
Robert

KenN · 2012-08-21, 01:09 PM

Just to be clear, I was responding to the initial question - whether you need a controller for a system. You don't need it, but you are quite limited in what can be done without one.

As aartech's rep pointed out, there are several solutions when it comes to controllers - PC-based software, devices like the vera and the ISY, and some security/automation systems like the Elk and the HAI platforms. You can pick and choose what works for you depending on the functionality you want!

However, it is important to keep in mind that any automation controller will have to be online 24/7 for the programs to run so that can really influence your choice.

2012-08-16, 07:57 AM	#1
takeaim Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 363	newbie- home auto diy question out of curiousity, do you require a controller for a system? ie the veralite for zwave or as long as you have a wireless router are there apps, webbased systems that you could send wireless signals through your iphone to your lighting system etc? thanks

2012-08-21, 10:20 AM	#5
aartech Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 45	You can absolutely use a home computer as your automation controller. You'd need a computer interface for ZWave or Insteon depending on what you're trying to support, and then the software. Check out Homeseer, mControl, and search out some possible free ones as well. On the Mac, Indigo is excellent for Insteon. Some people like using a computer because it's already in the home, but of course it needs to be left on 24/7 to run any daily routines/schedules and macros/triggers/events. If you already leave it running as a server then that's great. Other folks prefer a hardware controller because A) they are typically lower power devices, B) they are stable (no windows updates/viruses, no-one accidentally powers them down). That's where VERA, ISY99/ISY994, Hometroller hardware boxes come in to play. I'd first try to decide which technology you're using then see which controller has the best support for it. I hope that helps. Cheers Robert __________________ Disclaimer: Employee of Aartech Canada

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2012-08-20, 07:22 AM	#2
mpovolo Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 30	As far as I know you need a controller

2012-08-20, 02:13 PM	#3
KenN Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 110	I can only speak to Insteon setups ... you don't "need" a controller but it adds a great deal of flexibility for any programming. To set up Insteon devices, you need as a minimum, the Homelinc software. This will allow you to send the pre-set dim level and ramp rate to each dimmer. This programming, once complete, resides in the dimmer. If you want to set up any controller/responder links, this will also be done using Homelinc and resides in tables in the devices, so once Homelinc is disconnected this will still work. A controller such as the ISY994 or the Vera3 allows the same programming to devices as Homelinc, and also runs the If-Then-Else programming logic. So if you want anything to happen outside of the device-resident settings and tables above, you need a controller. So if you want the kitchen lights to turn on automatically in the morning for breakfast, or motion detectors to turn on lights if it is after sunset, or an email to be sent when there's a fault, any of this event-based stuff must be programmed into a controller.

2012-08-21, 07:41 AM	#4
takeaim Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 363	and that controller can't be a home computer with software?

2012-08-21, 01:09 PM	#6
KenN Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 110	Just to be clear, I was responding to the initial question - whether you need a controller for a system. You don't need it, but you are quite limited in what can be done without one. As aartech's rep pointed out, there are several solutions when it comes to controllers - PC-based software, devices like the vera and the ISY, and some security/automation systems like the Elk and the HAI platforms. You can pick and choose what works for you depending on the functionality you want! However, it is important to keep in mind that any automation controller will have to be online 24/7 for the programs to run so that can really influence your choice.