I recommend some nice Alexa or Google home speakers in every room for your music and audio needs along with tablets on the walls and in the sitting areas with Vera as the backbone for automation and Doorbird for your video doorbell needs.
Ah, OK, here we go! Great responses. I'll address them as I go.
On the subject of Alexa/Siri/Google... I'm still anti-electronic personal assistant. Without getting too tinfoil-hatty, I'm sure there are lots and lots of ways that people are regularly surveilled. I just don't see a need to invite a device into my home that listens to my every word. I'll probably just give in eventually, but in the meantime, I'd like to do without one of them. I'll do sound output with Sonos and use TTS for announcements. As an example, I used a weather plugin and PLEG to announce the day's forecast to whomever first walked downstairs in the morning. I also had some high-fidelity grandfather clock chimes that would ring over Sonos on the hour, every hour during non-sleep hours, until my wife tired of the clanging.
This will give you control over your entire home vie mobile devices from anywhere inside or away and Alexa products for voice. You can also add on voice products (Alexa or Google) as needed inside and in your outdoor living areas. The Doorbird can fully integrate with your Vera and SVR (Security Video Recorder) so you can use the camera, button and motion in it to trigger other things.
I will look into Doorbird. I had some mid-grade outdoor cameras in my last MCV home that utilized motion detector plugins and did notifications. As for commands into the system, I can do without voice for now and will stick with in-wall scene controllers and iOS devices. I liked HomeWave a lot. I will probably commit an old iPad to an in-wall installation.
I also recommend a Full wired security system such as DSC and an IP camera system with an SVR for your security needs.
But of course! I used an AD2USB and a Vista 15P panel with 8 zones (IIRC) in the last house. The last two zones were wired CO and smoke detectors. I played around with, but never actually implemented, virtual zones.
As for an IP camera server, I used a Synology DiskStation with a few cameras, and that seemed to play well with Vera back then.
I also recommend Logitech harmony hubs for AV control (it aint perfect but works pretty well) and Roku Streamers at every TV (unless you have a TV that will do it) for full control and the ability to save money with cord cutting and have a full suite of content to watch. Get Roku stick to take with you when you travel to take your home theater experience with you on the road.
I have a Roku stick on me right now. Good thoughts. Logitech Harmony... I've been eyeballing them. I've used them, a LOT. Firmware issues and finicky behavior has me gun-shy. But there aren?t that many other options with the flexibility they bring.
I also recommend a home server for your personal videos and movies to stream with either Plex or Emby.
Personal server, yes. Streaming, eh, I can see more value in the Rokus.
I also recommend you run ethernet to all of the IP cameras, TV's and areas you want to use a computer.
Yes, definitely. Two drops doesn't cost much more than one. I had pretty good Ethernet coverage in the last house, and it's hard to beat.
Of course all of this hinges on a powerful and trouble free network and WIFI system that you understand and can manipulate to your needs.
The more places I can count on wired internet, the better.
When all of this is up and running trouble free, you will beat the pants off of any multi million dollar so called "smart" home.
I think it's safe to say I did that with the last house
Let us know what you decide and your progress.
Please ask if you have any questions.
Thanks!
Welcome back. When I saw your user name on this thread, I assumed someone had dug up a really old thread. Nope!
It's nice to be remembered, thanks! A lot has happened. I've been reading up on Reactor. It'll be awhile, but I can't wait to get my hands dirty with Vera again.
