Home Automation

I gave up on my voice-activated home automation system a couple years ago as both my blood pressure and volume of my voice would continue to climb but the damn office light wouldn’t dim as I commanded. I felt like the boss at the end of the first show of The IT Crowd (brilliant British sitcom about geeks).

Anyway, the Acoustic Magic Voice Tracker Array Microphone automatically locates and electronically steers toward you when you talk allowing you to move around during a speech or teleconference -OR- in my case you can use the Microphone to control your home automation system whether you’re home or not.

The included USB adapter lets you take full advantage of HomeSeer Automation Software: Plug the adapter into your computer’s port, and use voice commands to control your home automation system.

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Acoustic Magic Voice Tracker Kit w/USB AdapterRead More »

This latest INSTEON gadget released by Smarthome comes with up to seven inputs which allow you to detect and monitor external events including garage door contact closure or temperature sensors. The eight dry-contact relay outputs allow you to send out preprogrammed INSTEON group commands to any device connected to your INSTEON network including lights, speed controls for fans, alarm systems, motorized blinds, etc… The device is also downward-compatible with X10 in case you haven’t upgraded to a next generation home automation network.

The uses for this device in your home automation setup range from security to environment control to hearing impaired assistance.

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INSTEON-enabled Input/Output Relay ControllerRead More »

In honor of the 10-day long savings going on now at Smarthome and that Rachel Ray recently featured a number of INSTEON products on her TV show that focused on home security, we’re featuring one of those very products again today: the Web-Enabled SecureLinc System. For under $300, you can get yourself this starter security system that has some great features and expandability.

First off, you can install this system yourself quite easily without having to install wires and cables. You just need to plug in the main unit, mount the wireless sensors in the zones you need to protect and then program the system.

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Smarthome Web-Enabled SecureLinc SystemRead More »

If you’re building your secret, evil lair that has lots of detection mechanisms for those super heroes who want to break in and put an end to your villainous career, then you’re going to need some of these driveway probes that sends an alert when a car enters your property. The probe is buried in your driveway, and a line is run to the weatherproof transmitter that runs off of a 9V battery. The transmitter sends the signal to the receiver up to 3000 feet away in your house.

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Buried Driveway Probe Alerts You To Cars on Your PropertyRead More »

You’ll rest easier at night knowing that a close watch is being kept on your home, even if you’re out of town. The Water-Tight 380TVL Color Bullet Camera is safe for both indoor an outdoor use, and this discreet camera connects to your television or recording device so that you can view or record any activity around your property. Fitted with a short BNC connector and a female power plug, this bullet camera connects easily to power and video cables.

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Water-Tight 380TVL Color Bullet CameraRead More »

If you use X10-enabled switches and controllers to turn your lights on and off and dim them remotely, adding this simple device to your setup will allow you to set up timed events easily. Using the 64-Event X10 Mini Timer, you’ll be able to schedule up to eight lights to turn on and off automatically. Awaken to light in addition to sound each morning. Turn lights on automatically when you’re due home at work so you won’t need to arrive home to a dark house. You can even select the “security” mode, which turns lights on and off at different times each day to simulate an occupied home. X10 switches or plug-in modules are required for each light to be controlled and are sold separately.

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64-Event X10 Mini TimerRead More »