What will I need?

The starter kit would include a HC-300 Home Automation Controller as the control centre of the system. This will enable control of audio and video streaming throughout the home and home automation. A starter kit could provide automation in one room, including A/V control, and would cost around £1000. This is a great base on which to start as the HC-300 is included in this package and is capable of controlling multiple rooms. The package would also include a remote controlled light switch that can be programmed to operate when you are away from home, on holiday perhaps.

The next step up would be multi-room lighting and audio control. This can be simply achieved by adding a further light switch to another room plus a wired/wireless Control4 amplifier and a wireless network router. As an example, we will assume the system is to control the lounge and one bedroom.

Lounge:
1 HC-300 Home Controller (including System Remote Control).
1 Network Router.
1 Dimmer switch.

Bedroom:
1 Wireless or Wired Speaker Point (allows music to be streamed from your networked music library).
1 Pair of Speakers (ceiling or wall mounted).
1 Dimmer switch.

The great thing is, to add the extra devices including the amplifier and speakers is around an extra £800.

To add a light switch to a third room would be around £115. So you can see that it is inexpensive to add further rooms and grow the system gradually.

How does the system connect to other devices?

The network router along with your DVD player, CD player and Satellite/Cable/Aerial would be connected to the control unit. The network router would be configured to either connect wired or wirelessly to the bedroom speaker point, which in turn will be connected to the pair of speakers. The light switches are operated by ZigBee RF communication. Other devices can be added to the system as and when required.

How would I operate the system?

This setup will allow you to control the DVD player and Televison using just one remote control and also give you control over the light switches and music in both rooms using the same hand-held control. Further, the lights can be pre-set to cater for different 'themes'. One theme could be a 'holiday theme' where the lights will switch on or off at different times during the evening to give would-be burglars the impression that the home is occupied. Another theme might be 'cosy film evening' where, on pressing play for the DVD player, the lights in the bedroom and the front light of the lounge are automatically switched off while the lights at the back of the lounge are turned down to 20%.

In the morning, music can automatically switch on to gently wake you, the volume can be set to increase slightly over a period of time. At night you will be able to switch off the lounge and bedroom lights from the comfort of your bedroom, turn off the televison and switch on your favourite relaxing music to gently soothe you to sleep. The volume can be set to reduce slightly at specific intervals before eventually switching off. Individual playlists can be compiled for each family member allowing each person to listen to their own music, which means Mum and Dad do not have to keep swapping CDs whenever they want to relax. The kids can also have their own playlists and the system can be enhanced so that different music can be played in additional rooms.

These are examples of starter set ups. It is completely up to you how and where you would like the system to be installed. You might wish to add televison and speakers to the kitchen, it is your choice.

What will it cost?

For the HC-300 Home Controller plus 1 Wireless Network Router (if you have't already got one), 2 Dimmer Switches, 1 Wireless Speaker Point and a pair of ceiling speakers the cost would be around £1800. The beauty of this system is that it can be added to as and when required. The most expensive part of the system is the HC-300 controller and because you have already bought one as part of your starter kit it means you can add further automation at a relatively small cost, so if you would like to add lighting control to another room you can do it from as little as £115.

You could even add heating control by installing a Heating Thermostat for around £280, and maybe upgrade you alarm system to have a fully integrated security and alert system around £750 extra, and include integrated smoke detectors. All controlled by a hand-held remote control with built-in display or a menu displayed on your television screen, or from the Internet or your mobile phone.

The smoke detector, in the case of an alarm, can send a signal to your control unit which in turn can switch off your heating or climate control, send messages to each set of speakers you have added to your system and can also activate your house alarm if required. The controller could be set up to also turn on the lights in your bedroom and in your hallway to illuminate your exit route.

So you can see, once you have installed the starter kit it is suprisingly inexpensive to add futher automation. You can eventually unleash the full power of the control unit to control your home.