Reviews of the hottest home gadgets

Home Security And Automation

Home automation system is the perfect technology to make your home a dream place to live in. With innovative technology and eye-catching style, this system is sure to transform your house into a mansion with just a touch of a button. Just when you are thinking that, it must cost a fortune then let me, tell you that your pocket is not going to get hurt for this automation. After a long day of work when we return home then switching on the light, opening the shades, walking across the room to turn on the stereo seems like huge task and we hate doing all that and just want to relax and take rest. With the help of the home audio systems installed in your home you can do the entire above task and many more just with the control of buttons.

Home automation is system which is not only capable of controlling lighting, temperature, security feature of your home but you can also pre set different settings of your home with it. For example, you can control the power of your lighting like from bright to dim, which ever you want during the day. You can also preset the temperature of your room, like if you want then you will find your room warm when you wake up, etc. You must be thinking controlling all these features must be complicated but unbelievably, you can do all these wonderful task just with the help of just one remote, which is quite easy to operate. Before choosing to buy a home automation system, you must make sure that they are properly installed and configured to function properly. You can also regulate the pool or spa control with it.

The price range of home automation and home audio systems depends on the multiplicity of features it is offering. There are average price home automation systems available, with the feature of controlling the light, security and temperature control this is the basic model. If you want to add more features then your expenses will get a bit higher. Then there are the higher modules with integrated control of audio and video control feature as well. If you can invest more then they can work wonders for your home. Therefore, it is advisable to carry on a through market research before choosing the high end system for you home, to give it a new look and new feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. QUESTION:
    Is there any dealer or supplier of home automation(security/lighting) in the Philippines?
    I am designing our new home and i want to put new home automation technology, i.e. security/lighting that can be remotely controlled through cp/internet.

    • ANSWER:
      Search from http://www.digitivity.com you will get the suppliers and their details.

  2. QUESTION:
    What is the best product for Home Automation/Security System?
    I am looking for the product with very flexible, customizable and most importantly, reasonably priced.

    • ANSWER:
      Hey looked around the internet for you and i thought these were the best deals. Check out all the security systems here they have everything from cameras to motion detectors to alarms. All very good priced around 0

      http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=3180341&ref_=sr_tc_2_3&qid=1235531045

  3. QUESTION:
    How do I restore an OnQ home automation and security system after the RAM was cleared?
    I would like to know how to restore a configured home automation and security system. The system combines a programmable security system made by OnQ and controlled lights, electrical hardware, and outlets made by X-10. The system has 2 collections of stored user settings: EEPROM and RAM.

    Among other things, the RAM keeps track of the current date and time, as well as the event log of tripped sensors and user code entries. Other things, such as user codes, device and code names, security and phone dialing settings, as well as all customized programs and buttons remain intact when the RAM is reset.

    When the RAM is cleared, more configuration settings than just the items mentioned above are lost. The system is currently unable to control most (but not all) of the lights and other electronics. They can no longer be turned on or off through programs or by manually initiating a command on the door entry panel. I need to determine what specific settings were lost when the RAM was cleared.

    • ANSWER:
      Go to SETTINGS then select SECURITY then select OPTIONS then RAM then select OTHER and change it from the default.

  4. QUESTION:
    I want home automation and security?
    I have an old brinks bhs-4000a system in my house and I was think of taking that out and put a system in where i can hook up all the door/window/PIRS/smokes/ etc. up and then hook up relays to lights, A/C, mag locks, dorr latches and other devices to turn on and off. I would also like to get a mic and speaker to do 2 way and ptz cameras and record temperature or if there is flooding (inputs that are digital for sure but analog would be nice but analog is NOT a must). I want a system that can hook up to my computer or the network/internet so I can control devices via the web and get text messages (or emails about troubles and alarms) and have many zones like 40 to 100.

    What would be the best way to do this? What brands and products would work best? Cheaper the better but I do under stand that I may have to pay $$$ to get what I want. I’m an experienced electrician and just started in the electronics systems industry. I can program about anything (may take me some time but I’m a fast learner and can figure out about anything (with some help of people I know))

    Thanks in advance.

    • ANSWER:
      if you really want a flexible installation you should take a look at lonworks. Echelon corperation licenses the technology and it will do everything you want and more.

      www.echelon.com
      www.engenuity.com

  5. QUESTION:
    what exactly is a video input in reference to a home security camera ?
    I am looking to buy a home monitoring system and I found some but they mentioned hooking up the cable to any video input so what are my options ? I am looking to do this myself so I dont want to hire a company or an electrician to install these for me .

    http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Home-Automation-Security-Video-Surveillance-Systems/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xg4Zbm4p/R-202040373/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

    • ANSWER:
      Any source of video is “video output”.
      Any video monitor or video recorder can have a “video input”.

      The security camera will provide video out. In order for you to see that video, the camcorder needs to be connected to a video input. This could be a monitor or Digital Video Recorder (DVR).

      If the camera’s video output is connected to the DVR’s video input, then the DVR’s video output must be connected to the monitor’s video input.

      When you look at the connectors, they should be marked.

      This is not much different than any other video you may already have. The cable box, satellite dish, DVD player or VHS tape deck is the video source and has a video output that connects to the television’s video input…

      The link you gave us if for a small, low-end, night vision camera. The cable attached to the camera will have three plugs.
      One for power. An AC adapter is included with the camera.
      One for audio. This will be a RCA, male, jack – it could be black, red or white – color does not matter but it will NOT be yellow.
      One for video. This will be a yellow, male, RCA jack.

      We don’t know which TV you are using so we do not know if it has any available audio or video inputs.

      If you want to record the video (and audio), you would plug the camera’s AV-outputs into a recorder’s AV-inputs, then connect the recorder’s AV-outputs to a TV’s AV-inputs…

  6. QUESTION:
    information regarding home security with an automatic weapon system controlled through sms?
    sir/mam
    i want your opinion and guidance regarding an home automation which will help in home security if any person tries to break the security. the system will send an SMS to the owner and the system would have automatic weapon system by which owner can be able to protect the home. the system would also include an camera by which the owner can see that person and able to take necessary action. i also have an idea that if the camera get activated as somebody inserts key in keyhole or try to break it, and the system send live video to the user.
    i want your ideas on it and some help regarding the same , like how to start this project and what it should include and how it can be done.

    • ANSWER:
      Sanj

      In the USA, and probably in India…. it would be considered murder. The remote operator is using deadly force, when they are not under any threat or danger. The proper response would be to alert the authorities of the break in.

      Soccerref

  7. QUESTION:
    How can I get my home security system to turn on lights?
    I’m looking for some answers, guidance or even just a point in the right direction. Alright a little background on myself and my system to get started.

    I have extensive experience running networks, so pulling lines is not a problem. I have the average joe experience in working with electrical lines. I ran power 60 ft to my shed into a second box, and then wired my shed lights, switches and outlets. No issues working with this.

    I have an Brinks security system which is now ADT. The system has a centralized box with battery backup.

    My shed got broken into a month ago, and 00 worth or tools stolen. Other neighbors have been hit recently as well. I’m going to take my money from the insurance co and install a nice CCTV system. So after that I’ll have alarms and video when they break in. I’m going to install a siren/light on the front of my house, neighbors might not like it, I don’t care. I’m actually going to try and get them to do the same. We look out for each other and that would help, it’s a good neighborhood.
    So I was looking at alarm parts because I’m going to install window/door sensors, a motion sensor and one of the CCTV cameras in the shed. Well I found out that alarm systems have a relay installed to sound the alarm inside. That got me to thinking, so this is what I want to do. Use the relay to turn on a handful of my lights on inside and outside the house when the alarm goes off. I’m heading down the path of using home automation equipment to do so. This is where my knowledge is limited. I am looking for some sort of relay wired or wireless, than I can place in between my light switches and lights that can be triggered by the alarm relay.
    Any help or guidance would greatly be appreciated.
    I have a brinks system, I will have to get home to state the model. It is not a DIY security system. It is a it was in the house when I purchased it.

    • ANSWER:
      This is one of those subjects that you really want to just wade in, but before you know it you are swept toward a waterfall, http://www.x10.com/security/x10_pf284.htm will flash any x10 connected component. Guard your wallet!

  8. QUESTION:
    Is there an employment agency that deals in the Private Investigator or Security fields?
    I’m in Edmonton AB and looking for an agency that finds employment as a private investigator or alarm system/home automation system salesperson. Anyone know of any?

    • ANSWER:
      In regards to private investigations jobs, from my experience there is not an employment agency. However, I generally search indeed.com or monster.com for investigator jobs. You might want to do a search in Google for private investigations associations in your area and then ask each member for work. Good luck!

  9. QUESTION:
    Web Based home automation. Is there a product out there?
    I need a product that is not too expensive. But can do some interesting things. I travel a lot and have to keep tabs on a lot of things at home. I have pets. I was wondering if there is a product, that I can plug things into, like a lamp, and it in turn plugs into the wall. Then, I log into my computer at home, or a web site, and give a command to the computer by pressing a button, and the computer in my house, which will have a remote transmitter, can turn on the lamp? Or not just the lamp but the power to anything? I would like to monitor things plugged into the system from anywhere. I know I can do this with web based security cameras and stuff, view from afar, but I want to be able to act from afar as well. This seems like really simple stuff. I’m sure it’s out there. But where? If it isn’t out there I have already done a poor man’s patent on a couple of methods for doing it.

    • ANSWER:
      Hi,

      I’ve been looking into this for a while now, though I have yet to own a home so never did anything. You might want to take a look at x10 products, it’s a standard so there are some programs that will do web based control for them too – it all depends on what you buy.

      Check out the links I’ve posted for some more information. The general thing to control tends to be light bulbs and plugs but there are some more complicated things including motors to close blinds.

  10. QUESTION:
    Browser Compatibility error. Please help?





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