| So your thinking about investing in home | | | | with 6 remote controls. |
| automation for your new home or remodel. Here | | | | 3) Some Controllers use Wi-fi, Ethernet and a |
| are a few interesting things that you may not | | | | relatively unheard of technology called...Zigbee |
| know about Home automation equipment. | | | | 802.15.4 mesh networking standard. Believe it or |
| 1) Certain home automation equipment allows you | | | | not the name "ZigBee" is comes from zig- zag |
| to start small. I don't know about you but just | | | | patterns made by bees when they go flower to |
| the idea of a $50,000 price tag for home | | | | flower to collect pollen. This is similar to the |
| technology can be overwhelming to many people. | | | | invisible webs of connections existing in a fully |
| Now while it is very easy to spend that and more | | | | wireless Zigbee system. So what that means in |
| on a true home automation system... it is not | | | | simple English is that the more Zigbee devices you |
| necessary with all systems. Many homeowners | | | | add to the system...the stronger the connection |
| start off with using the basic brain of an | | | | will be since each device will feed off of the next. |
| automation system that will allow you to grow | | | | All of the lighting dimmers are Zigbee based. The |
| with it. They usually use it as a smart remote | | | | LCD keypads may be Zigbee based or hard wired |
| control for their home theater system. They may | | | | via Ethernet. |
| then add on additional home automation modules | | | | 4) What does this mean for you? Zigbee |
| as they see fit and can afford to. Down the road | | | | technology means that if you live in an existing |
| a few light switches can be added in to the | | | | home that does not give you access to run wires |
| system. Even further down the road you can tie | | | | for home automation technology...you still can use |
| in your security system & thermostats. | | | | this system. By taking advantage of the Zigbee |
| Some people even add music throughout their | | | | protocol and Wi-fi, you can add complete home |
| home with this system. Just remember that you | | | | automation to your house including your lighting, |
| can start off your home automation with one | | | | thermostats, security and movies. In fact, if you |
| project at a time-- yet still have a system that | | | | want to add zones of distributed audio (music in |
| integrates everything seamlessly. | | | | other rooms) there is even something called a |
| 2) Certain systems allow you to turn on your | | | | wireless Speaker Point. This allows you to deliver |
| television and see a copy of every DVD movie | | | | remote audio throughout the home without |
| that you own. When you combine them with the | | | | running any wires back to your audio source. |
| Sony 400 disc DVD player, the system accesses | | | | 5) These systems afre very user friendly. You do |
| the Internet and automatically searches for the | | | | not have to have an engineering degree to use it. |
| DVD jackets cover art. Now you no longer have | | | | In fact... I have had clients choose it instead of |
| to look for your movies or worry about them | | | | some of the more expensive systems just for |
| getting scratched by the kids. The Movies stay in | | | | its simplicity and ease of use. |
| the DVD player all of the time. All you have to do | | | | Home automation and smart home technology |
| is turn on the TV and with your Controller-- | | | | are here to stay. Why not look for an affordable |
| simply click on the "video" button. Instantly you | | | | home automation system that can grow with |
| will see a picture of every DVD movie you own. | | | | you, add value to your home and give you |
| Choose a movie by clicking on it & the | | | | pleasure at the same time. |
| system does everything else. No more wrestling | | | | |