W.W._I_D ? - Part 2 :: The Quest Continues !

So I have been continuing my research into the "Utlimate" DIY, low-cost Home-Automation and Media Centre configuration. As you may recall, I am a little envious of my friend's installation, but do not have anywhere near the budget he had. So I have scoured the web, and I think I have come up with my solution.

You will further recall that I tend to swing towards the Open-Source side of the software world, and am keen to do as much as possible for myself. But, I also want commercial-level support where possible. Trust me, the ability to call up a 1-800 number and ask "OK, what did I mess up THIS time ?" is of great value to me. Further, I would think any reader of this post would also be appreciative ! ;-)

On the Audio/Visual (A/V) side, I am quickly settling into a free (open-source at its best !) software package for Mac OSX called Plex. It provides an overlay to ALL of your digital content, including iTunes, NetFlix, etc and creates its own master index & streaming capabilities. So from the one gorgeous interface, I can play back HD Video, Music & Photos. Finally, content can be streamed to remote TV devices, using Apple's new AppleTV.

But then I also have some other interests... I am keenly interested in Home Automation. In being able to control ambient lighting, and to set "scenes" - automatic pre-sets for watching a movie, or hosting a party, or being away on vacation.  Also the ability to control climate - like setting the thermostat remotely - would be most valuable.

For this, I have settled on another Mac OSX application called Indigo. It is another native Mac application which can interface with either X10 or Insteon control devices. It understands the concepts of security and event-triggering. Imagine a guest has entered your driveway. The system could turn on the porch light, ring a chime & flash a video image onto a monitor - perhaps even the TV itself !

Especially interesting is that these two solutions are compatible with each other ! This means you can control BOTH applications from within one interface. Both applications take advantage of the Apple App Store to publish remote-control applications for iPad/iPhone/iPod. Amazingly, the same Apps allow you to stream the A/V content to both the iPad and the iPod/iPhone platforms !

The next component I am settling onto is the new Apple Mac Mini. It can run OSX-Server, meaning it can also serve as the house E-Mail, DNS, and Web-Server. It can interface with a TimeCapsule and turn it into an industrial-strength firewall, securing us from the Internet. But I would be sure to buy the non-server version - it comes with a DVD built in, meaning you can play DVDs on your system as well - and purchase OSX-Server separately. It is a nice-to-have for me, but not required for this project.

It will also serve as the Media Centre, being directly attached to the main TV via HDMI. Using a product called eyeTV-HD from elgato, you can watch live TV from their video capture device. It sits between the Set-top cable Box and the Mac Mini. Then the content is delivered by the afore-mentioned HDMI cable. Since it stands in between the Cable box and the Mac Mini, the Mac Mini can become a Digital Video recorder, allowing you to record any broadcasts for later viewing - kind of like a TiVO, but without the monthly subscription, and supporting High-Definition video in Canada.

So the one media centre can centrally manage & store content for the entire house. Further, it becomes the nerve centre for the Home Automation project. My first estimate is that the whole project will cost ~ $3500 CDN, which includes all of the Insteon/X10 modules ! An order of magnitude less expensive than my friend's system, and all running on Apple equipment. Muy bueno !

The opinions expressed are purely those of the author. Opinions are like noses - everyone has one, and they are entitled to it !