( 
)What is home automation? Home automation is any system that integrates a control system with a separate system that you desire to control. An example of this would be using a remote control to toggle lights on and off or using your Ipod Touch to arm your alarm system from your bedroom. Whatever you want to control, usually can be integrated with some sort of automation system.
But what kind of system should I get? There are many different systems out there that have a variety of different features at a variety of different prices, but which one is for me? I hope this will shed a little light on the issue and give some insight as to what you might be looking for. There are basically 4 main companies out there, in my opinion, worth looking at: Elan, Control 4, Crestron, and AMX.
Elan
They have been around since 1989 and concentrate on audio/video distribution. They have the ability to integrate with lights and other equipment but it requires lots of other parts and a lot of integration with 3rd party equipment. All of their system works on analog technology. Analog audio being fed through analog wire with analog switching. Their keypads are hard to use, lacking in function, and don't give you much flexibility. The touch screens are not bad, easy to program, fairly flexible, require an 18/2, coax, and a CAT-5 to operate. Elan does not make any lighting integration products, you must use 3rd party devices like Lutron's Radio Ra. Video distribution is not integrated and is not intelligent, it is IR based. It is fairly inexpensive if you are just doing audio distribution with a small amount of control otherwise, it can get expensive fast when integration the video, light, doorbell/paging. In my opinion, they are past their time and operating on an out of date standard that is fast being replaced by digital solutions with easier, cheaper wiring. But not bad for what it can do.
Control 4
A fairly new company to the scene, Control 4 offers almost any integration that you can think of without adding tone of wires and complex programming. They have been around for about 10 years and have a highly IP based background. Using mostly your high speed computer network to communicate, Control 4 also has a wireless option to almost every product they offer in their entire line. Keypads, Touchscreens need only one CAT-5 to operate, getting power from POE, or power over ethernet protocol. They also have a wireless option for these two devices that operate on your computer's wireless network. This option requires the pads getting their power from 110V AC, The controller operates all traffic through the system. A very inexpensive start to a very expandable system, the HC-300, HC-500 and new HC-200 can get things rolling. These controllers offer control for a home theater system out of the box and can be added onto just by buying the part you want to add. No additional modules, usually no additional wiring, and with their 4sight service, can be programmed by the installer from their office without having to come back to your house. They make their own light solutions and almost all of their expansion devices operate on a wireless band called Zigbee. This allows most of their devices to communicate without having to run a wire to it and the head end. If they dont make it, their partner company, Card Access, probably has the solution. There really isn't anything that you can't do with Control 4. Audio, video, lighting, high voltage automation, security integration, remote access, they have it all. The price to get started with them is about $700. This allows home theater control, digital music integration, and has 2 outputs to feed differnt locations. From there it's as easy as picking the piece you want to add and plugging it in. No fuss, just everyday easy.
Crestron and AMX
These companies have been around since the beginning and offer almost any control option you can think of. There really isn't a product you can't integrate with them. The problem with them is the complexity of the programming and the cost. Most of the programming for these systems has to be written in code and takes along time in comparison to the other companies out there. If you wanted to do something from Elan or Control 4 AND IT costs $4,000, it would cost about $10,000 from Crestron and even more for AMX!!! These are not bad options by any means, you just have to have the means to pay for them.
There are many other companies out there that do home automation in some form but do not offer the complete package like these four companies do. X-10, HAI, Niles, Russound, are some of the OTHER companies on the market. They might work for some options but in the end will leave you wanting more. Try to steer clear from these companies and try to stick with one of the main four. They will not let you down in the end.
But what kind of system should I get? There are many different systems out there that have a variety of different features at a variety of different prices, but which one is for me? I hope this will shed a little light on the issue and give some insight as to what you might be looking for. There are basically 4 main companies out there, in my opinion, worth looking at: Elan, Control 4, Crestron, and AMX.
Elan
They have been around since 1989 and concentrate on audio/video distribution. They have the ability to integrate with lights and other equipment but it requires lots of other parts and a lot of integration with 3rd party equipment. All of their system works on analog technology. Analog audio being fed through analog wire with analog switching. Their keypads are hard to use, lacking in function, and don't give you much flexibility. The touch screens are not bad, easy to program, fairly flexible, require an 18/2, coax, and a CAT-5 to operate. Elan does not make any lighting integration products, you must use 3rd party devices like Lutron's Radio Ra. Video distribution is not integrated and is not intelligent, it is IR based. It is fairly inexpensive if you are just doing audio distribution with a small amount of control otherwise, it can get expensive fast when integration the video, light, doorbell/paging. In my opinion, they are past their time and operating on an out of date standard that is fast being replaced by digital solutions with easier, cheaper wiring. But not bad for what it can do.
Control 4
A fairly new company to the scene, Control 4 offers almost any integration that you can think of without adding tone of wires and complex programming. They have been around for about 10 years and have a highly IP based background. Using mostly your high speed computer network to communicate, Control 4 also has a wireless option to almost every product they offer in their entire line. Keypads, Touchscreens need only one CAT-5 to operate, getting power from POE, or power over ethernet protocol. They also have a wireless option for these two devices that operate on your computer's wireless network. This option requires the pads getting their power from 110V AC, The controller operates all traffic through the system. A very inexpensive start to a very expandable system, the HC-300, HC-500 and new HC-200 can get things rolling. These controllers offer control for a home theater system out of the box and can be added onto just by buying the part you want to add. No additional modules, usually no additional wiring, and with their 4sight service, can be programmed by the installer from their office without having to come back to your house. They make their own light solutions and almost all of their expansion devices operate on a wireless band called Zigbee. This allows most of their devices to communicate without having to run a wire to it and the head end. If they dont make it, their partner company, Card Access, probably has the solution. There really isn't anything that you can't do with Control 4. Audio, video, lighting, high voltage automation, security integration, remote access, they have it all. The price to get started with them is about $700. This allows home theater control, digital music integration, and has 2 outputs to feed differnt locations. From there it's as easy as picking the piece you want to add and plugging it in. No fuss, just everyday easy.
Crestron and AMX
These companies have been around since the beginning and offer almost any control option you can think of. There really isn't a product you can't integrate with them. The problem with them is the complexity of the programming and the cost. Most of the programming for these systems has to be written in code and takes along time in comparison to the other companies out there. If you wanted to do something from Elan or Control 4 AND IT costs $4,000, it would cost about $10,000 from Crestron and even more for AMX!!! These are not bad options by any means, you just have to have the means to pay for them.
There are many other companies out there that do home automation in some form but do not offer the complete package like these four companies do. X-10, HAI, Niles, Russound, are some of the OTHER companies on the market. They might work for some options but in the end will leave you wanting more. Try to steer clear from these companies and try to stick with one of the main four. They will not let you down in the end.
Guide created: 01/13/09
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