| This article refers to two applications of | | | | watch a film you can simply press a button on |
| automation technology within the home. The first | | | | your remote control and it will turn on the TV and |
| being home entertainment and home cinemas, the | | | | DVD player while turning off the light. If you are |
| second being hard to reach plug sockets. | | | | having a dinner party, for example, you may set |
| The first application of home technology that I will | | | | the room to an entertaining mood and the |
| be discussing in this article is in the area of home | | | | remote will adjust the lighting and other devices in |
| entertainment, more specifically in the area of | | | | the room according. |
| home cinema experiences. People love to relax | | | | These remotes work using a type of signal called |
| with a film, in front of a big television that has a | | | | 'X-10'. A remote can control any device, via X-10, |
| great surround sound system. A big wide screen | | | | if the device has some sort of module inside what |
| and surround sound brings the feel of the cinema | | | | enables X-10. This may sound complicated but in |
| to the home. If you are the type of person who | | | | reality its quite simple, all you need is a remote |
| loves their flat screen TV and surround sound | | | | and a chip to put behind your light switch. |
| you may well be pleased to know that there are | | | | If your home cinema or living room is one of |
| many new devices available that can take your | | | | your favourite places to be then, like myself, you |
| entertainment experience to the next level. | | | | should find this news very exciting. You will |
| You may well have heard about products like | | | | probably also be pleased to know that the price |
| 'apple TV' which allows the user to stream video | | | | of such remote ranges from a very affordable |
| digitally from their computer directly to their | | | | £30-£100. Modules that fit behind |
| television. There are many other devices, other | | | | light switches are also very affordable. Modules |
| than apple TV, which are equally exciting. In this | | | | range from around £16-£40. |
| article I am only going to talk about those devices | | | | The second technology that I would like to talk |
| that are in the field of automation. | | | | about is possibly not as 'revolutionary' but more |
| It is now possible to have a remote that controls | | | | of a fun use of home automation. In my house I |
| your TV, DVD, Sky box and Freeview box as | | | | have many lamps and plugs, which have a power |
| well as the lighting and other electrical appliances | | | | source hidden behind a sofa or a radiator cover. A |
| within your living room. An example of this is the | | | | fun and handy idea is to enable these switches to |
| EasyControl 8, Available at Tekrux from | | | | be controlled via X-10 using a Plug Module or Micro |
| Marmitek. Not only can these remotes control | | | | module. You can then control these irritating, hard |
| your lighting but you can also set 'moods' on your | | | | to reach switches using the same remote that |
| remote. This means that if you want to relax and | | | | you use for your television and lighting! |