THX Intro
April 25th, 2010 // 10:03 pm @ Terrance Gaines
I think this intro is what got me excited about Home Theater
Just wanted to share a piece of my history
…as you were
Category : Home Tech &Random Tech
800,000 People are “Cutters”
April 19th, 2010 // 8:57 am @ Terrance Gaines
…Of their TV service subscriptions that is.
Last year (like that was a long time ago), I posted a story about what it would take for me to cut my Cable TV service and switch to TV over IP. Looks like I am not the only one contemplating the switch. A study conducted by Convergence Consulting Group estimates that 800,000 U.S. households had cut such services by the end of 2009, with the number expected to double by the end of 2011.
With the progression of network-connected and web-streaming devices such as TV’s, Blu-Ray players, gaming systems, and special set-top boxes, it’s becoming easier for your average consumer to enjoy quality programming via ethernet cable or wireless router rather than a coaxial cable or cable/satellite set-top box.
Even still, I think the reason why the number is ONLY 800,000 is because it is somewhat convenient to call your local cable/satellite provider and have them come out and install everything and subscribe to a insanely expensive TV subscription package versus buying your own equipment, hooking it all up and piecing together you own internet media package.
I just hope that people break out of their comfort zone and realize that they actually have more control over their programming than they think. When more people realize that they aren’t just tied to one main-stream TV provider or another (hopefully via this site *plug*) they will start doing the research and jumping on the TV service cutting bandwagon.
Category : Computer/Networking Tech &Home Tech &Web Tech
Home Automation – More than just the interface
April 12th, 2010 // 3:38 pm @ Terrance Gaines
I am a fan of Smart Home Technology and there are some cool apps via Apple App Store developed by home automation integration manufacturers such as Savant Systems, Control4, HomeSeer, and HAI that will allow you to control your home via an iPod Touch, iPhone, and the new iPad.
But in my hastiness to show you what an iPad can do outside of just playing games, watching video, reading books and sending an email/tweet or two, I may have incorrectly given folks the idea that all you need is an app downloaded onto you Apple gadget and you are good to go – WRONG! You need a little bit more than just an app and a cool control gadget to have a complete home automation system capable of controlling your lighting, security, media & HVAC.
The Low Down:
I am gonna give you a down and dirty on what you would need to have a complete Home Automation System. Here are the basic components:
Software – The language that your system uses to operate
Connection – How your devices are connected to each other
Control – unit that connects all your devices and sends out all the commands
Interface – What you use to send the commands to the system
If you can put two and two together, you already know which part the fancy Apple products falls under…..the interface. It’s the nifty gadget that you use to control your system. Most systems still use those bulky, expensive, touch screens OR a universal remote with not enough buttons to get the job done.
These devices can easily run you approx. $1k+ just to run your home from the inside, which makes using an iPad or other mobile gadget a VERY NICE alternative…you can do much more for much less.
The interface, while the coolest, is usually the LAST part you need to complete your system. Probably the first component of a home automation system you need to think about is the Software – the portion that translates the signals from the interface into commands for the devices to execute.
Next up is the path of travel (connection) for the signals and commands to travel. It can either be wired, or wireless, or both. But the signals need a path to get from your interface to the device.
The only thing that’s left is the brains of the system – The control unit. It’s the component that routes all the translated commands from the software to the appropriate devices. It tells what to go where and when. The control unit monitors the system and is hooked up to all of your controlled devices.
With home automation, you can either Do it all yourself, or get a home integrator to do it all for you – DIY home automation is getting easier and easier, but it takes time to figure out all the ins and outs. If you can put a values your time (and it takes time), paying somebody to do it may serve you better.
Now of course I left out a bunch, but that was the purpose of this article – to let you know there is more to home automation than just downloading an app. But I’m not gonna leave you hanging without some linky goodness if you want to do more research.
How to Install Smart House Technology
How to Wire Your Home for Automation
Do-it-Yourself Home Automation
Category : Home Tech &Mobile Tech
