I've been big on home automation and security for a few years now and wondering is there anyone else with a system setup or thinking about setting one up? X10 is where I started and even went as far as developing an Android app to control my WHS box with X10 interface. These days things are a lot easier now that companies like Verizon have apps you can use to control your house. I'm in the process of building my third system that will be permanent versus in the past everything I did was in a rental and couldn't go all out like I wanted.
In the last house I owned, I fully automated everything using a platform developed by Crestron.... I did the programming (C++) and was quite content with the results...
I like the Crestron system a lot actually however I's only use it in a new built home. My goal is to have two machines on upc's and solor panels that never go down which run the house. "off-the-grid" With years of X10 and Insteon products I want to be able to control everything from one system ie. Z-wave Quickset locks, Russound Whole House stereo, rain8net sprinkler controllers, Dakota Alert devices, HD PCI-e CableCard Tuner and not excluding thermostats(The house I own now has two heating/cooling units). Have you seen this? http://micasaverde.com/vera-3.php
I've only seen a simple mock-up that didn't have the Dakota Alert devices, or sprinkler system controllers.... The Belgian HQ for Crestron wanted me to join their team and sent me to several tech fairs to review what they and competitors are doing....
Honestly it all depends on what you want to do and how your current house is wired, if you have access to the attic and so forth. Verizon has a kit that starts at $219 but there is a monthly $10 charge. https://shop.verizon.com/buy/Camera...-Kit/Home-Monitoring-and-Control-Kit/sku20010 My latest project I am starting with the Vera3 to control everything and its $299. http://shop.micasaverde.com/index.php/vera-1/vera-3.html The first project i started was an old p4 dell xps system with a firecracker attached to it. $15 off craigslist. http://www.x10.com/automation/ck18a_s_ps32.html The main thing is starting with a controller unit and what type of devices it can control. Since i started with x10(you can get used parts for cheap on the internet) years ago I collected a ton of parts ranging from simple lamp modules to switches, motion detectors, and video cameras. For me to tell you how much a system like this would cost would require more information but I can give you a range of $5k+ to get started. I've gotten to the point where since I'm doing a media server with cable card tuner to all tv's and voip phone system with mics in the rooms and so forth that its gotten past being about the money and to the point of doing it the way I need/want it no matter the cost.
check this out! UC Berkeley freshman shows us his ridiculously automated dorm (video) http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/04/berkeley-ridiculously-automated-dorm/#continued [YOUTUBE]6x1GkgbVP1I[/YOUTUBE]
Very interesting indeed!!! I didnt know there was a sophisticated voice recognition program that could be used like that. Im going to look into that further. Thank you for posting this dWebPro!!! This looks very general. Is there something like this where I can give my television a command?? For example I say... TV ON...Channel 5....Channel 12.... TV OFF... I guess something like that would require a device in the form of a remote which could be controlled with voice commands in order to control my TV. MICROWAVE....ON....HIGH...THREE MINUTES..... I wonder how I can accomplish this task??
Yes, you would need a cable card tuner like this to have control of what your watching on tv. http://cetoncorp.com/products/infinitv-4-pcie/ i dont know about the microwave unless there is one out there that is somewhat open source to accept commands. the guy use dragon naturally speaking for his voice project however im probably going to use this... http://www.smarthome.com/1451/HAL-Deluxe/p.aspx