If you missed Part One of this feature you can find it here. Otherwise read on...
Home Control Systems
AMX
www.amxaust.com.au
Sitting at the top-end of home automation, AMX special installers provide totally integrated systems to control many functions in your home. Using custom-designed software and touchscreens, you can get easy control of the devices in your home – for a cost!
Crestron
www.crestron.com.au
Crestron, like AMX specialises in this top-end complete integration of all elements in your home – including music and video distribution, security, irrigation, you name it. Again, not a solution for those counting their dollars.
Calypso Controls
www.idt.com.au
Sitting on the more affordable side of the fence is Calypso controls, which is an AV company branching out into the open source automation of home theatre products such as screens, sound systems and lighting.
Control4
www.control4.com.au
Another more affordable option is Control4, which uses a combination of wired and wireless technologies to link and control the elements of your home. It is modular too – so you can start with lighting and grow from there as needs arise.
Digital Homeware
www.digitalhomewar
e.com.au
Digital Homeware software sits on top of your whole system to provide you a simple-to-use interface for controlling everything from your lighting to your audio and video content. Best of all – it's based on open source technology so you can use just about anything – PDA, PC as your control pad.
Genisys Automation
www.genisysautom
ation.com.au
HAI
www.be-home.com.au
HAI makes home control systems, lighting control products, distributed audio products which can be installed in new or retrofitted into existing homes. There are also a range of HAI interfaces including touchscreens, consoles and software that let you control your home via the Internet or media centre PC.
HAL
www.ozhifi.com
HAL has a product range including AV distribution, (central amplifier with AV control, keypads etc) lighting control and automation (processors, touchscreens, control modules). You can have AV distribution or lighting on its own or have the processor controlling HAL devices or any other third party products.
i-Lifestyle
www.i-lifestyle.com.au
This company uses the open standard KNX home control system to reduce the retrofit rewiring headache. It also has a range of stylish keypads and touchscreens to control the system too.
iQhome
www.iqhome.com.au
Th
e iQhome Comfort II Comfort II gives you a smart security system which can be used as a platform for other home automation functions. You can even use your mobile phone to perform any of the automation functions programmed into the system.
LexCom Home
www.pdl.com.au
This system allows you to manage your distributed music and video, automate your lighting and get you up and running with VoIP and home networking.
Smart Company
www.smartcompany.com.
au
Smart Company was one of the pioneers in the home control space, when it launched an affordable home controller named Jeeves. Designed to give you efficient and easy access to your home's many electronic components - the way a butler might – Jeeves has now been combined with communication, home entertainment and internet browsing functions for PC and non-PC literate world. This new product is called the Smart Solution.
WinPlus
www.winplus.com.au
On the budget end of the spectrum is this DIY approach to home automation. Selling starter kits such as a lighting kit, and energy saving kit, WinPlus offers automation of certain devices around the home for only a couple of hundred dollars per kit. The range is available through Bunnings.
Click on the next page for information on multi-room entertainment specialists
