Smart home getting dumber

Beer & Queso
101

When we built our home in 2012, we had a then top-of-the-line Control 4 system installed. Not all of the house lights are on it, but it has all of the AV, some shades, and some internet. To reset anything, we have to go through our Control 4 dealer.

It’s a complicated system. Here’s what we use and what we don’t use.

We have a lot of big windows, and shades on some of those windows are set to open and close to reduce power costs during peak daylight. I like that, and generally, with tweaking from time to time, the system’s worked well.

Not all of the lights are on the system, but the lights in the central areas are. I have used the system to dim them only once that I can remember. Otherwise we just turn them on and off at the wall switch.

Except for a separate stereo in my office and one television in a spare bedroom, all of the house tvs and audio are controlled through the central system. Video has a blu ray player, cable tv, and Apple TV to three monitors. We mostly source the audio off of stored music or through Apple Music on the computer system. We use the AV system a lot.

Our internet, land line, and burglar system also run through the system.

I had to take it all apart over the weekend so that we could replace some carpet in the closet where the system is stored. It took me most of three days to unhook it, hook it back up, and then call the repair guy to figure out how I’d screwed it up. I got pretty close. I only misplaced one cable. I think I had to remove something like 23 cables to 10 components and switches just to move the rack out of the closet. Most of the time was spent figuring what could stay hooked up, what had to be unhooked, and then tracing the cable to unhook.

Like I said, it works pretty well, but it may be a bit too complicated and fussy. I’d probably do it again.

102

That is a cool setup. Control 4 makes a great system. I probably would have not carpeted the closet.

103

Two things I will never have in my house: carpet and wall paper.

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104

I like wallpaper, though we don’t have any.

105

Nor a two story house.

106

I thought one of the two things was carnies.

107

“I’ve had it up to heeeeere with the likes of you!!! Oh, I’m sorry, i thought you were circus midgets.”

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108

Impressive. Control4 is the Bugatti of home automation. The biggest problem with it is that it is very much a “black box” approach that requires custom programming done by a system integrator. I believe they are similar to Crestron (the closest comparison for commercial automation) in that you have to be an authorized dealer/integrator to buy their products and access their software tools. And, as you mention, even minor changes to hardware or software require a service call, probably with a minimum job fee.

Amazing for customization and ease of use, but it’s not for the faint of wallet.

109

Since we were building the house, the AV and internet systems were installed separate from the house contract, and we had speakers installed in most rooms and the burglar alarm system installed, plus all the computer wiring run as part of the same contract as the Control 4. The initial expense was stupid, but not horrifying. Every expense when you’re building a house is either stupid or horrifying. Once the system was installed everything has been pretty easy. It all sits in a closet in a spare bedroom that we visit every few months to re-boot either the AT&T internet or the Apple TV.

Once it was set up and running it’s been pretty brainless, and we only seem to see the contractor every year or so for something. Usually like today it’s pretty minor. Once we replaced the internet router to try to get a stronger signal to all parts of the house (we didn’t). Four or five years ago the Control 4 Amplifier fritzed, which was expensive and annoying. One of the system remotes wore out after 7 or 8 years of hard use in the kitchen.

But mostly the Control 4 stuff is a lot–and I mean a lot–less of a headache, and after installation a lot less of an expense than the irrigation system. There’s stuff that I won’t really consider because of the black box problem–switching internet providers, for instance, would be a major headache–and stuff that would be nice–being able to set lights on a timer–that we can’t do without calling in the contractor to program the black box. We have to purchase a license each year to run the system off of our phones instead of the purchased remotes, and every year I debate whether I really need to spend that $100. I always do. It’s just too cool being able to listen to Miles Davis off my phone at midnight over the house speakers, from a room a long way from the speaker amplifier or the digital source.

110

I lost that battle straight away. When looking for a house I said “I only have two requirements: single story and no pool.” She said “I only have two requirements, two stories and a pool.” So we compromised and got what she wanted.

2 Likes
111

You’re a wise man.

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112

I built a house in 2008, and the cost to have it wired for sound was insane. There was nothing smart about it either; I had two zones - one being the surround sound in the living room and one being stereo in the dining room, game room and patio. The only remote control on the stereo zone was that each location had it’s own volume control knob on the wall. Everything was hardwired back to an A/V receiver in the living room. It was as simple as could be, yet it was complicated as fuck and expensive as hell.

Now that I am looking to make my new home smart, it’s equally insane how much easier and cheaper it all is. I saw what seemed to be some good advice, which was to go room by room when adding smart tech. This is feasible now because it’s all wireless, so it’s what I am doing. Budgeting my rooms, my most expensive room is going to be the kitchen because, in addition to smart light switches, I also need a smart lock on the back door, remote speakers and a TV. It’s all going to cost about $1,100 including tax and I can install it all myself.

The functionality I’m adding is waaaaay more advanced than what I added to the 2008 house. And by using the free Apple Home app, I’ll be able to control the lights, blinds, door locks, alarm and, of course, audio, from anywhere with my phone, watch or voice. Not anywhere in the house, anywhere on the planet with a cell phone signal.

113

Save your money for a good turntable.

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114

I am now obligated by federal law to re-post this:

115

Right. Mine was a roundabout way of saying that I’m guessing that Mrs Hawk cares for neither carpet nor wallpaper.

116

I installed a smart lock on our front door about two years ago. I haven’t carried a house key since.

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117

Speaking of the kitchen, they have sous vide machines you can control with your smartphone now, you know. In case you want to sous vide up some tempeh patties or something.

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118

I ordered two Apple HomeKey-enable locks for the front and back doors; they’re on backorder. If/when they show up, I’ll be able to open the doors with a key, a code, my phone or my watch. I am looking forward to not having to carry a key.

119

She doesn’t, but we are aligned on those.

120

Is a house key that burdensome? That’s the least of my key carrying annoyances.