Smart Home Blog

Recently I found a list of X10 devices which are compatible with opensource smarthome system LinuxMCE:

• CM11 PC interface (USB & RS232)
• AM12U Appliance Module
• LM12U Lamp module
• LM12 Lamp module
• TM12U Transceiver module (on/off switch)
• MS13E Occupancy Sensor/Motion Detector
• Dimmer Module (wired)
• LM15EB Bayonet Lamp Socket
• TM13U Trans receiver module
• LM12U Lamp module
• LM12U Lamp module
• LM15EB Bayonet Lamp Socket
• Marmitek EasyControl 8 (X10) Remote control

It’s good for me especially I’m going to by a test X10 kit in Russia next week. I think it should be enough to have CM11 with USB interface, MS13E Occupancy Sensor/Motion Detector and TM13U Trans receiver module. Those devices are gonna be used for test purpose only. But after some time maybe me and my family will use them practically.

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Here is a working configuration for LinuxMCE core/hybrid:

• A8N32-SLI Deluxe M/B (SLI, Dual network ports)
• AMD 4200 64 X2 processor
• 2GB RAM
• 2X GEFORCE 7600 NVDIA cards in SLI configuration (Work perfectly for UI2)
• 200GB SATA HDD
• Liteon 20X DVD Writer
• Hauppague WinTV PVR 500 (twin tv tuner)
• Microsoft MCE remote
• Bluetooth USB dongle
• Microsoft Bluetooth mouse

It’s selling now at €650.00 in the Midi Desktop Case with installed LinuxMCE 0704 hybrid.

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Recently INNOVUS have announced a complete home control product family based on the Z-Wave standard for Europe. As you may know Z-Wave is one of popular modern technology for wireless home automation.

The INNOVUS products include:

• MYHOME - GUI which can easily configure any of the Z-Wave devices and control of processes via PC or laptop;
• House Control - the heart of the smart home. Information is sent continuously from wall switches, light dimmers and sensors etc. to the INNOVUS House Control, which reacts according to your settings or if something out of the ordinary occurs;
• RAone Smart Dimmer - a dimmer which includes finger touch panel supporting many different light scenarios;
• SmoothRemote - remote control which offer easy control all INNOVUS devices as well as other Z-Wave devices offered by third-party vendors;
• Smart Switch - multi-functional controller offers a compact mini distribution center for the home;
• SmartPower - an on/off switch, designed to reduce consumption in devices consuming energy in standby mode and features a finger touch panel for local control.

The good advantage of Smart Switch and RAone Smart Dimmer is built-in a power meter, enabling measurement of energy consumption. So, you’ll see how many energy you use. All INNOVUS products look very attractive and can be part of your modern home design.

All INNOVUS devices are compatible with products of other companies within the Z-Wave Alliance including Merten, Danfoss, Logitech, or ACT who use the Z-Wave standard within their solutions. They will be available from September 2007 with price €199.

[via AutomatedHome]

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LinuxMCE is a very young project. It was forked from Plutohome a couple months ago. However, a San Francisco startup Fiire already use it for its solution. The Fiire system includes three main components: Fiire Engine, Fiire Station and Fiire Chief.

Fiire Engine actually is a core/hybrid. It offers up to 6Tb of RAID storage for your media content. The Fiire Engine can be used as media center as well. It supports amazing looking Alpha Blended GUI with 3D effects and Full-HDTV (thanks to nVidia 6200 graphics).

Fiire Station is a diskless, noiseless PC which is used as a client for Fiire Engine. It is available in 3 versions: a 1″ fanless vent-less wall or VESA mount, a set-top box, and a 2.2″ wall mount or horizontal mount. They have approximately the same set of features (maybe set-top-box includes more) and differ a form-factor. So, you can choose appopriate one. All Fiire Stations also support Alpha Blended GUI with 3D effects and HDTV although they use modern Via UniChrome Pro II PC graphics.

Fiire Chief basically is remote control. But it isn’t ordinary one. Thanks to built-in gyroscope the Fiire Chief combines remote control and pointer (like Gyration mouse). The remote uses RF to send commands with a range of approx. 50’. It has 3 specialized ‘gyro’ buttons in the middle that let you control every function using only those 3 buttons and gestural movements. Another cool feature of Fiire Chief is ‘Follow-Me’. Before only mobile phone with running Mobile Orbiter offers that feature via Bluetooth. Now because Fiire is able to track each remote individually, you can use it with your remote. Sure, the Fiire Chief can be used as ordinary remote. It has has a universal i/r remote built-in with both pre-stored codes and learning.

The Fiire Engine, Fiire Station and Fiire Chief are available with price $799.00, $499.00 and $149.00 respectively.

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According to AutomatedHome the third generation Z-Wave ZW0301 Single Chip is available in production. Its features include the ability to support battery-to-battery networks, lower power consumption, and full interoperability with previous Z-Wave products. Depending on the volume, the ZW0301 has 15 to 30 percent lower cost than the 200-series generation of Z-Wave chips. This means that dimmers, switches, sensors etc which are based on Z-Wave technology will be also cheaper and more efficient.

Taking in account of Z-Wave initiative to combine TCP/IP and Z-Wave I can guess that Z-Wave will be at least one of dominate wireless technologies in the home automation area.

P. S. You can buy Sylvania Z-Wave Deluxe Starter Kit, included one remote control and two #2000Z plug-in lamp modules, for $99.99. Good opportunity to start automation of your home with leading technology!

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