Getting Started

OldMrBrennan83

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bk

I don't think that is quiet a fair comment, both Stoner and I have created 5 or 6 FAQ's about each of the major Home Automation systems that give, I think very clear information about each of them, including info on what they are, how they work and how to set them up.

Anyway, some general advice. I think most of us have come to the conclusion that it is a bad idea to buy everything from one single company. The problem with it, is that no company is an expert in everything, so you end up with a system that is maybe good in one area, but terrible in all the other areas. A jack of all trades, master of none type situation.

Instead better to buy separate systems from different companies who specialise in that area (for instance Philips is one of the largest manufactures of LED lights in the world) and instead integrate them at a higher level such as IFTTT, Yonomi, Echo, GHome, etc.

Lighting - Hands down Philips Hue, lightwaverf if you just want smart switches and keep your old lights.

Heat - I like Netatmo, but Nest and Hive seem very good options too.

Sockets - Blekin Wemo seem the best, TP -Link a little behind that. lightwaverf too but requires a relatively expensive hub

Cameras - Lots of good cameras out there, but mostly they don't integrate well or at all with other systems. Nest are probably the best in terms of integration ,but expensive and have an expensive required sub. Canary, Logitech Circle, Blink, etc. are all interesting options too and work well in their own right, but aren't well integrated.

AV Contol - Logitech Harmony Hub, it is great if you have lots of remotes.

B-D-P--

@BK: So new build here, Want automation regarding lights, Devices on and off, Electric gates, want to work with IFTTT, and other smart home ideas that I have yet to think about.

Would lightwave not be best for all this instead of different products?

Heating is A2W so thats a constant source and not something you trigger on 10 mins before your home.

bk

B-D-P-- wrote: »

@BK: So new build here, Want automation regarding lights, Devices on and off, Electric gates, want to work with IFTTT, and other smart home ideas that I have yet to think about.

Would lightwave not be best for all this instead of different products?

Well it depends on what you want. LightwaveRF is certainly a nice system, but it also lacks a lot of things too.

For instance it only allows you to turn on and off and dim lights. You can't change the colour of the lights or the white temperature like you can with Philips Hue lights. IMO that loses a lot of the benefit of smart bulbs. It seems to be the fancy colour scenes that people really like about Hue and you don't get that with LRF.

Of course you can mix the two, nothing stopping you putting Hue bulbs in light sockets that are controlled by LRF switches. But then that might be an unnecessary waste of money.

You could use LRF just for plug sockets (thus making them smart sockets, with some neat child safety features), maybe the gate control and a few other things, while using Hue for lighting.

OldMrBrennan83

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OldMrBrennan83

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bk

Patww79 wrote: »

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Wemo is a pure wifi plug, that means it doesn't come with any sort of hub, it directly connects to your wifi.

The one downside of this approach is that if your wifi or internet go down, it will stop working, so I wouldn't use it for anything crucial, but fine for day to day use.

Wemo work with GHome via the IFTTT service in the "cloud". Basically you create an account on the IFTTT website, connect your GHome account on the IFTTT site and connect your Wemo plug on the IFTTT site and the two can talk to one another through the IFTTT website then.

The thing is Google are opening up their API for GHome to third parties in December. This means I'd expect to see lots of Home Automation tech be directly integrated into GHome over the next few months, similar to Amazon Echo.

bk

Patww79 wrote: »

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Yes, I'd expect so. You could always use an extension lead to work around this.

OldMrBrennan83

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givecredit

Patww79 wrote: »

Also, on the Wemo, it looks like from the images that two won't go side by side in a double socket. Is that right?

Yes that's correct. I just tried there now to see. One of these required if you want wemo in same double socket.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Masterplug-13-4-Gang-Extension-Lead/dp/B0001P0GDK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1480005395&sr=8-3&keywords=extension+cable

OldMrBrennan83

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givecredit

Patww79 wrote: »

Yeah that's the thing I was thinking of. One of those from each socket and a Wemo in every second one on those. Wouldn't be too hard to hide with a few cable ties.

What are you trying to achieve? Would one wemo and a double extension lead coming from it work. Cheaper option if you switching on two items at same time.

OldMrBrennan83

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givecredit

Patww79 wrote: »

Might get away with one single one for some of them. I'd like to be able to switch on the TV separate from the Shield though, and I've a lamp in that corner too.

OK. Can I make one further suggestion before you make purchases.
I initially bought two wemo to turn on off lamps. Great option, but hue is better. Wemo turns your lamp on and off. Hue does this and more. To start it's nice to be able to dim your lamp. Wemo can't do this. I know it's a little more expensive but in long run it's worth it. Much neater too. It's just a new bulb at each lamp. Get yourself a starter kit. That will cover 3 lamps. Might be good offers tomorrow. Just get starter kit that matches your lamps bulb type.

bk

Patww79 wrote: »

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Similar to what givecredit says, maybe a Harmony Hub for controlling the TV and Shield. More expensive, but gives you far more options.

OldMrBrennan83

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Man of Aran

This is an excellent new forum and all credit to BK and Stoner especially for providing some valuable insights and advice. Some others too have shared experiences with Smart Home and IoT to date. It's appreciated as like the OP, it's a new area for me too.

A fascinating field no doubt with endless possibilities to enhance our day to day living going forward.

Came across what I feel is some additional useful material on SuperHouse TV by Jonathan Oxer on YouTube. Deals with wired and wireless home automation stuff. From about Episode 12 more into Arduino and wireless. You can skip some of the fluff and mundane bits like pulling a conduit underground across the road though!

Anyone else find some good sites on YT that can be shared here.

Stoner

B-D-P-- wrote:

Would lightwave not be best for all this instead of different products?

I'd agree with BK. Lightwaverfs is not as good for lights it has colour change but they messed up by creating common cathode drivers and they are hard to get.

Good for sockets relays , your gate etc.

Heating . It looks like there are better options but it works.

The main issue I have with lightwaverf heating is that it doesn't have a clear on off. You dial it up and down.

OldMrBrennan83

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Stoner

My advice to newbies

I think that with all these things people get defensive about what they have and the decisions they made

I've noticed this a bit in forums. people defend their choices.

It can follow a couple of routes.
The biggest indicator for me was people defending crappy LEDs years ago. They'd sit in the dark and try to convince others that their 70 lumen LEDs were as good as a 300 lumen CFL for reading. It can be misleading

Another thing is overselling a unique feature.

I think it's important to recognise an honest opinion in a forum from a fanboy.

For example I've oversold the fact that some lightwaverf and x10 devices are not state aware.

Where as in reality I could count on one hand the amount of times either technology let me down for relays and sockets
I switched from X10 to lightwaverf because X10 devices are ugly not because they didn't work
Yet I've a bag of lightwaverf sockets at home that I can't be bothered changing as I really can't find a practical use for them.
Most of the time you don't need automation it's not the end of the world if something doesn't switch on first time every now and then. Most of the time your eyes will tell you if it worked

I'd rather an attractive light switch that I never had to change the batteries in to some off standard option. When the batteries run out, that's down time

It's important for a first timer to visualise what you want and what would be practical for you before you buy it.

Are you the type of person that wants purple or green lights in your living room. Will you use it. If not don't buy it. Some love it. It enhances things for them, but be honest with yourself

Do you make a coffee every morning ? Would a smart coffee machine work for you or are you the type that won't remember to add water and coffee the night before.

Do you want to video people who ring your doorbell.
Would you like to add a gate opener on your phone as a back up when your fob is lost.

Do you want 6 new apps on your phone.

Most of the benefits of these units are found in their ability to be switched manually from a more convenient place.

Like the keypad on your intruder alarm.

Regarding heating.

I've too much control and I can't figure out a way to use it to save much money. Any attempt to schedule a room to not have heat backfires.

In reality if I was at home during the day I might have upstairs heating off.

But we are out all day. Are you the same?

Have you recently invested in a Co2 and smoke detector. If so you won't need a nest smoke detector

Do you listen to the radio in the morning in the kitchen. If not you won't listen to it just because you can turn it on by voice.

Do you really care about the traffic to work ?

Do you really care about the temperature, are you currently seeking that information regularly if not it's all a novelty in my opinion and it will pass.

I regularly turn off the TVs in my house before I go to bed. So I have it on one button, saves my back 5 times a week.

IMO I'd only investigate getting devices that will fit in around what I normally do.

I've very little to ask Alexa recently. I prefer a quiet Google and tea. I'm intruding on the mood in the house talking to a box

I don't really care about the temperature. I gather what I need by a glance out the window in the morning. I don't care about the time to work. I get up and go to work it takes roughly the time every day and it's busy at certain times every day. I have a brain that works this out.

Half the information these things give me. I honestly don't give a fiddler's about I'm processing information all day in work. I'd rather look at a watch to find out the time, and I don't wear a watch anyway I'll have the time checked in the phone before I can ask Google for it and I don't need to be near a box.

Really in the evening soft light, kodi , tea , warm room does the trick.

I set the echo dot to turn off the TVs , lamps open gates etc.


Haven't used it, still use the phone. I like not talking at home. All joking aside my wife prefers it when I'm quiet at home too.

Control on the phone is very convenient some of these other options really aren't a big enhancement.
I get lost a lot GPS is great for me. My wife doesn't use or need it. I love googling a location and sending it to my phone.

And btw using the lightwaverf app is far more accurate than asking Alexa to turn something on and faster. No point complaining about some button that needs to be pressed twice one in a hundred times yet spending 3 minutes explaining to Alexa which one of the "several similar devices" you want to use.

I dont keep lists echo dot hasn't changed that.

I use Google keep. I add text and voice notes and photos. It's supervisor for my needs


So my advice is if it's not currently stimulating your special senses, don't buy tech to force it.

Do you listen to Ted talks now or the radio outside of the car ?
If not forget about it imo

OldMrBrennan83

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Stoner

Patww79 wrote:

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Well as far as I'm concerned lightwaverf will fit your needs

You might need Amazon echo though as it's not linked up yet with Google home

OldMrBrennan83

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OldMrBrennan83

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OldMrBrennan83

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Roen

That's all you need.

OldMrBrennan83

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Roen

Patww79 wrote: »

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Actually, just to make you aware, with the kit you mentioned you'll only be able to control the lights with the app. For a wall switch you'd need the dimmer switch and if you want them triggering on motion you'd need a motion sensor.

A starter kit is by far the best way to get going.

Roen

Patww79 wrote: »

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Yeah I was lucky a couple of months back and got one with a dimmer, two bulbs and a hub for £75. Not see nit since though and I can't find it anywhere.

OldMrBrennan83

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Roen

If I see the kit I'll post up!

OldMrBrennan83

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Roen

Patww79 wrote: »

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The switch was perfect for me as the kitchen light switches were on the wrong side of the door. So I just stuck the dimmer on the wall where it should be. It pops out of the holder too so you can have it on the table or desk with you.

OldMrBrennan83

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bk

Patww79 wrote: »

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Huh?! Google Home works with both IFTTT and Smartthings hub, which are two of probably widest supported integration platforms out there.

Google Home's API for 3'rd party developers opens up next month and from then I'd expect most of these Home Automation systems to add native support to it.

paulbok

Patww79 wrote: »

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Try PC World.ie they may have online stock

OldMrBrennan83

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bk

Patww79 wrote: »

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You are the first person I've ever heard of it not working. That is probably why you can't find anything onlnie, generally it just works super easily.

Is your phone set to the US-English language and region?

Once it is, just launch the IFTTT app on your phone and try connecting then. Sorry if that sounds obvious, but there really isn't too much to it.

BTW you know it is Google Assistant you need to be connecting to in the IFTTT app?

Bascially:
- Launch IFTTT app on your phone
- Log into IFTTT
- Search for Google Assistant
- Click on it and now connect to it (you might have to enter your google account username and password, the same one you use for Home).

That is pretty much it!

OldMrBrennan83

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bk

Patww79 wrote: »

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Maybe yours is faulty so. Maybe try doing a factory reset.

Your experience is the complete opposite of mine. Works perfectly 98% of the time for me.

OldMrBrennan83

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OldMrBrennan83

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bk

Patww79 wrote: »

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Not really, now just activate one of the Google Home IFTTT applets that you are interested in or create your own.

Maybe to start trying it out, try this simple one:
https://ifttt.com/applets/479391p-block-the-next-hour-on-google-calendar

Remember, you need to click Activate on the applet. Give it 5 minutes and then try saying:
Ok Google, block some time

OldMrBrennan83

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bk

Patww79 wrote: »

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Maybe even leave it for an hour if it doesn't work after 5 minutes, these things can take time to synch up, they are often running on message queues or batch jobs.

OldMrBrennan83

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OldMrBrennan83

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OldMrBrennan83

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Graham

Patww79 wrote: »

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You know you can use the smart watch to control some of the HA stuff

OldMrBrennan83

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NomadicGray

Patww79 wrote: »

I still need to see if I can keep my Spotify account if I close my Facebook. It's the only thing holding me to Play Music at the moment.

You may have figured this out already, but I deleted my Facebook recently and was able to keep Spotify as it was, just had to login once with username instead.