Home Automation and OS X

I was unable to locate a more appropriate forum, for discussions regarding using the Mac in home automation. Does anyone have any links or information, regarding a Mac-based Smart Home? Here's my situation, thusfar:
http://web.mac.com/aeolius/iWeb/house/Blog/Blog.html

Smarthome is a great source for automation equipment. They have everything from simple starter kits to very high-end systems. Here is current Mac control software index:
http://www.smarthome.com/prodindex.asp?catid=449
I have not tried either of these myself. I have some pretty crude X10 equipment that I got from RadioShack, but it does help me out in the winter months when I am semi-disabled due to a vascular disorder.

Similar Messages

Home Automation/Security with Apple

Hello,
Although I am relatively new to the Mac following, I can safely say that I dont think I will ever go back to the brainwashed PC way of thinking! I am currently in the process of building a home and have researched some of the PC based home automation and home security systems and was wondering whether or not I will have to succumb to this path or not. Does anyone know of any Apple based home automation packages that incorporate full home automation (lights, appliances, theatre, music, etc) with security (cameras, phone, etc)?? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Patrick

Check out the search on VerionTracker for x10. There you can get an idea with the comments to choose the application that will fit your needs/budget.
There is also an older article on the net on this very subject.
Rev A. Dual 1.8 G5 Mac OS X (10.4.9)

I´m from Brazil and I would like to know if I can use the Labview and other National technologies to create a building/home automation (energy, water, lightning,...)? Which would be a ideal project? Which equipments should I use?

I would like to know all about National technology regarding building/home automation?

I could help you better if you had an idea of the equipment you will be controlling or reading to/from. Are you planning to totally customize a system or are you looking to use instruments/controllers already available for Home Automation? Im not sure I understand what you really need. Here's an Idea. Computer is the controller of the system.
System consist of Light Control Only (to keep it simple). Program written in LabVIEW. Here you can create schedules to turn lights on/off/dim. Then LV could communicate, (for example using X10 or other protocol), commands to the device actually controlling the lights. Lighting device could be controlled using some sort of communications like, X10, Serial, IR, RF, Ethernet, etc... So this system can turn lights
on/off/dim% either at the click of a button on your screen or a timer. Adding any other system in the house will more than likely require a different communication protocol and complicates things even further. You could much of this with regular automation hardware from NI but this requires integrating different components like relays, dimmers, etc.. Much more work and more expensive, (I would think), than buying a device made specifically for the system.
I hope this helps.

Interface capability between Lookout and Crestron or Lutron home automation?

I have an existing project with Crestron home automation equipment, looking to fully automate their irrigation and stormwater systems (PLC, SCADA, etc... ). Is there any information I would be able to display on the Crestron screens in the house, and what process/hardware is required, if possible? Thank You in advance for your time.

I too am looking to use NI Labview to interface with my home automation equipment. I'm a hobbyist, I'm not in the business of selling, programing, installing or servicing home automation equipment. I have access to LabView development tools at work. My boss encourages us to learn our development tools, he would be happy to let me use our LabView development systems after hours.
Equipment I'm interested in controlling and monitoring include:
Crestron CP2E - Compact Control System with Ethernet
Genter / ClearOne - XAP 400 8x8 Audio Mixer / Conferencing Phone
HAI Home Automation Inc. - Omni LT Home Automation Controller
My primary interest right now is the Crestron CP2E.
Any assistance, or pointing in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

Windows Home Server and Apple TV 2

There are some old threads talking about Windows Home Server and the original Apple TV - the HP Windows Home Servers actually have excellent Mac support and out of the box with the Twonky Media Server that is bundled with the HP WIndows Home Servers would stream to the original Apple TV with no issue.
The wrinkle is the Apple TV 2 requires Home Sharing. I'm not going to debate good/bad - it is what it is. I was searching for a way to get my WHS working with my Apple TV 2 since I'm finally getting around to automating the transcoding of my Tivo files and I would much rather my WHS be my media server than my Mac. I came across this article that seems perfectly reasonable:
http://forum.wegotserved.com/index.php/topic/16359-whs-and-apple-tv-v2/
I haven't tried it yet, but it seems perfectly reasonable. Has anyone else tried it? I'll report back either way - if I remember to

"But can it be both simultaneously?
Both a server and a media machine that is showing a movie on your TV?"
Yes it can, no problems.
The Mini Server OSX is pretty much the same as the client Snow Leopard, complete with Front Row, iTunes, Mail, Safari etc, but no iLife09 supplied - you will have to pay extra for that.
It will do everything that Snow Leopard will do but has all the server capabilities too if you know how to set it up/use the software.
The only things I had trouble with was I can't find Migration Assistant and a strange quirk is that it won't share a USB connected printer across a network! No sign of printer sharing in System prefs but I guess you can do it via the Server config somewhere...
I just used CUPS to enable Bonjour printer sharing - works fine
I have been able to insatll everything I had on my previous CoreDuo Mini including Final Cut Express, iLife09, EyeTV, some bit torrent stuff - all works fine...
I really like the fact that I can plug two monitors in - I have the MiniDVI connected to a 50" plasma and 1080p Projector (using an HDMI splitter), the Mini Display port feeds a separate 20" widescreen monitor - when the plasma/PJ is switched off the main display automatically switches back to the 20" monitor
All in all this MiniServer is a great little HTPC - powerful and silent with 1TB of storage. The Server software is a bonus I haven't even looked at as yet

Home automation - integrate creston with apple

I implemented home automation with creston system. I'd like to improve the network using time capsule, airport express for new pair of speakers and apple tv to share contents. any experience from somebody?

Check out the search on VerionTracker for x10. There you can get an idea with the comments to choose the application that will fit your needs/budget.
There is also an older article on the net on this very subject.
Rev A. Dual 1.8 G5 Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Mac Mini - Home Automation

'just wondered if anyone is using the 'Mini for Home Automation - it would seem ideal (and even more so, perhaps, if a lower-cost cut-down version were also available, then 'could distribute them also task-specifically around the house)
Power Mac G4 Mac OS 8.6 or Earlier Mac OS10.4 sometimes

I did briefly.. but it's pretty expensive to get everything running.
Indigo and Ovolab Phlink. Every item keeps stacking up in price.
I went back to using Misterhouse for Linux and Activehome Pro for Windows. Cheap CM11A $20 on ebay and Misterhouse for free. USB X10 Camera Dongle $30. Asterisk for Telephony free. Then a cheap linux box. You've got your Automation system for under $399. Far less than the cheapest Mini.
Sorry for being a sourpuss
Mac Mini Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Home Automation - X 10 - Advice Please

Hi,
I'm looking to put my iMac to work about my house, controling lighting, temperature, etc. I've surfed the web and it seems that the easiest way to do this is using the X 10 system through the mains wiring circuit.
Has anyone done this and can give me some tips? For instance, is it possible to control the X10 computer interface over an airport network? If I can I want to have the X10 computer interface in a different room without having to clutter my office with extra boxes and usb cables hanging out the back of my iMac. But since I've now found that I have to cable my printer every time I want to change the ink cartridge I'm a bit worried controling the X10 over Airport is a non starter.
Also, there seems to be a lot of starter kits on the marked that all come with PC based software. Can you get the starter kits with either Mac OS software or even without the software full stop since I have already downloaded some from the Net for free just to check out what I can do once I have found out which component parts I have to purchase.
One more thing. I know that the US is leading the way with home automation abd the equipment is readily available in the States, but I'm in the UK and most electronics stores I've been to look at me as if I'm from Mars when I mention X 10.

Now posted under "Usage".

NOOB NEED HELP: Building smart home automation app

Hi!
So i am a webbdesigner, i can make awesome design in psd and produce them in html and css3, but i dont have any idea about making windows phone app.
The problem: Im tired of devices like D-link Home Automation does not support Windows App, and im not going to let them change my phone, so instead i want to devlope an app that talk with my dlink devices.
The question: Is that possible, and how hard is it? Can someone just explain a bit how that works i mean how do i code an app to talk with a device i dont know even how to communicate with?

Hi!
So i am a webbdesigner, i can make awesome design in psd and produce them in html and css3, but i dont have any idea about making windows phone app.
The problem: Im tired of devices like D-link Home Automation does not support Windows App, and im not going to let them change my phone, so instead i want to devlope an app that talk with my dlink devices.
The question: Is that possible, and how hard is it? Can someone just explain a bit how that works i mean how do i code an app to talk with a device i dont know even how to communicate with?

In wall iPad home automation

Hi there,
I need some help with a decision here:
I rigged my new appartment with home automation abilities.
As the control panels are quite expansive, I decided to use an iPad in-Wall solution instead of the proprietary panel solutions.
I know that there are quite a lot apps for that porpose but before I make my final decision, I would like to hear what you think about my idea.
Anybody here with some experience in home automation with Apple products?

I am putting 2 inwall iPads total in my house 1 in kitchen and 1 in dinning room! My question is, is there away to link both IPads together? Kinda like a Dual monitor clone on a computer! Don't want to be playing Ipad in kitchen, then have to run back to kitchen to turn music off to play dinning rooms! Is that possible to do?

LabView for Home Automation

Hi,
Has anyone written any home automation software in LabView? In particular,
has anyone written a driver for the X10 CM11 home automation controller?
It seemed like an intriguing idea...
Thanks for your inputs.
Rowan Bradley

Yes, I wrote a driver for the X10 CM11. You can download it from my web
site at http://www.vicsys.com/download/x10/. It does not presenlty support
dimming but it works fine for turning appliances on and off. Let me know if
you make any upgrades to it.
Best Regards,
Neal Pederson, President, VI Control Systems
1923 Mendius Lane, Los Alamos, NM 87544
TEL: (505) 662-1461, FAX: (603) 388-4969
[email protected], www.vicsys.com
Rowan Bradley wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
>
> Hi,
>
> Has anyone written any home automation software in LabView? In particular,
> has anyone written a driver for the X10 CM11 home automation controller?
>
> It seemed like an intriguing idea...
>
> Thanks for your inputs.
>
> Rowan Bradley

Mac Home Automation

Just wondering if anyone is interested in Mac home automation. I have been building a home theater using a Mac as the heart. It can control the lights, HVAC, sprinklers, and even my home theater.
Check it out and let me know what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q-iighX42U
http://ljungholm.dyndns.org:8080/groups/888macdoctor/

This is very cool. I don't have nearly as complex a system but it has occurred to me to try something similar. I'm exploring the possibility of using an older Palm pilot that I have lying around.

Home automation, lonworks, eib, backnet, dali, etc

Hi folks,
my new boss wants to use labview for homeautomation.
Has anbody programmed software with labview for home automation
components, using bus/protocols like Lonworks, eib, backnet, dali, etc?
Does anybody know a web- community, or news group dealing with this?
I haven't found anything useful in the web yet.
Greets,
Rainer
### Please remove all numbers in email address for reply ###

If you look at the last paragraph of the following webpage, you will see how National Instruments used the LabVIEW DataLogging and Supervisory Control (DSC) module for their headquarter's building automation.
http://www.ni.com/opc/opc_resources.htm
Echelon Lonworks was used to communicate with Siebe controllers via an OPC Server. I believe the OPC Server for LonWorks was from GesyTec:
http://www.gesytec.de/englisch/products/easylon/el_opc-server.htm
The LabVIEW-DSC module comes with built-in OPC support, tag management, alarms, security, and is geared towards applications with a high channel count. You may want to evaluate if this is a good fit for your application:
http://www.ni.com/labviewdsc
Regards,
Khalid

Home automation control app

Hi , do you know if RIM are developing an app for home automation control like other smartphone , with app like Biticino or Vantage Home Automation ?
Thank You for your answer
bye

There is no indication that BB is implementing anything like that. However, that said, the QNX platform used in BB10 is used in many other areas like automotive and appliances. it is possible they could if they wanted to. There is nothing announced in that regard, though.
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Home automation

Hi,
Has anyone written any home automation software with LabView? I have been thinking of getting a HVAC system
using LON bus.
Thanks for your inputs.
Jari Likonen

Jari,
If I may make a suggestion: Go ahead and write a reliable program to automate your HVAC, make sure it works, and works well and reliable. Then, grab a copy of Gary Johnson's latest book, the 3rd edition of power programming, and check out the examples of embedded LabVIEW. He and his fellow author, Richard Jennings have successfully written LabVIEW for a PC104! I am sure you would agree that you should have a reliable, low power, compact system if you hope to fully automate your HVAC. Trying to rely on windows for any real world automation is frightening to me. Of course, you have to have LabVIEW for linux to do this...
Anyway, give it a shot. Someone somewhere needs to pioneer practical applications of LabVIEW in embedded systems.
I already have
a copy on the way, have a copy of LabVIEW for linux, and plan to start PC104 shopping. Now all I have to do is find something to do with it.
Good luck, and most important, have fun.

Home Automation and OS X

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