WOW. I want to get to that point one day. I have a smaller condo right now so there's really not much i can do aside from hue and a few wemo switches. How much of a pain in the ass was it setting up all of those things??
-
Ever wanted an RSS feed of all your favorite gaming news sites? Go check out our new Gaming Headlines feed! Read more about it here.
Smart Home-ification: come discuss your attempts!
- Thread starter Cantaim
- Start date
WOW. I want to get to that point one day. I have a smaller condo right now so there's really not much i can do aside from hue and a few wemo switches. How much of a pain in the ass was it setting up all of those things??
Honestly not too bad. The wemo app is really good and it integrates with Nest, so they already talk to each other.
Most of it is plug and play with the exception of the light switches, but it's mostly straight forward to install if you're comfortable doing low level electrical work.
Otherwise it all pretty much just syncs up. I have done DHCP reservations for all my devices, so my home network and IP ranges are nice and tidy.
I just picked up four wemo mini plugs for some more home entertainment and Christmas tree light control, probably gonna get a handful more for some other random plugs but I'm nearing a saturation point of having almost every outlet connected now, lol.
Got an Amazon Echo and then bought a Lifx bulb. I can now shut off my room light via Alexa and control it in other ways.
Less of a smart home and more of a single smart light, but eventually.
Also the fact that I had to update my lightbulb's firmware is nuts. The future is crazy.
Less of a smart home and more of a single smart light, but eventually.
Also the fact that I had to update my lightbulb's firmware is nuts. The future is crazy.
thats a pretty cool setup. My only issue is you need IFTTT. Id prefer to not have to rely on an internet service for my automation.
What do you need IFTTT for? For basic control of wemos you can just use the app (or widget).
Alexa requires internet though for pretty much everything other than the wake word.
If you add in a smartthings hub you get a lot more logic control which can be handy, and many of those routines now run locally even if your internet is down.
Eg my smartthings hub uses my wife's and my phone as presence sensors. When we're both away it'll turn on the motion sensors in the house, and turn them off when one of us returns. And if either of us returns after dark it'll automatically switch on the hallway light for us (and then fade off after 5 mins)
Alexa is good for lights on/off - and now you can assign a default group so you can just say 'turn the lights on' and she knows you mean that room's lights. And you can create groups for switches so we have two wemo switches in a 'Christmas lights' group so we can just say 'Alexa turn on the Christmas lights' and they both activate.
A harmony hub is good for enabling turning the TV on/off and changing channels etc.
I started off smallish but my current setup is
Hubs:
Smartthings hub
Hue hub
Arlo base station
Echo in living room
Echo dot in kitchen
Switches: just three wemo switches. One called 'kettle' is used all the time. The other two just for Christmas lights.
Lights : hue bulbs in - hallway; spare room; living room (dining area, sofa area, behind the TV); stairs
Sensors: wife and my phones as presence sensors for smartthings; open/close sensor on front door; open/close sensor on daughters bedroom window (faces the front of the house and she has a habit of leaving it open during summer nights); motion sensor on stairs
Cameras : 3 arlo cameras. One mounted at the front looking down on our driveway and front door; one overlooking the back garden and back door; one in our hallway looking toward the front door. Motion sensors are scheduled by the Samsung smartthings hub
Activities:
- motion sensor on stairs turns the stairs light on if it's dark. If it's very late (11pm-6am) it turns on very dim as a nightlight to not wake others up. It fades to off after 3 minutes with no movement
- if the front door is left open for 5 minutes, both of us get a notification and text message. In case our kids left the door open when going out school we can use the Arlo app to check the front door is open or not and then call the kids to close it.
- presence sensors turn the hallway lights on when someone comes home after dark, fading off after 5 mins. Also disables alerts and turns on 'we are home' mode. When both of us have left, it turns on the cameras motion sensors.
- cameras. If we are both out of the house, all three cameras motion sensors are armed and will record 30 second clips when sensing motion (and sending both of us notifications). Overnight between 11pm-6am all cameras are enabled too.
- if the upstairs window is open after 10pm we get a notification
- if the front door is opened after 11pm the hallway camera records a clip.
I don't... If you see my other posts in this thread I prefer not to have 3 or more different vendors and I prefer not to have to rely on an outside internet connection for IFTTT like the post i quoted said he needed.
I use Insteon with a ISY devices and it provides me with more than enough different devices and modules and has the programming features like IFTTT but it's internal to my home network.
Go with whatever works for you, but those are my preferences. If the internet goes out I don't want all my automation to not work.
Have you seen the 'WeTap!' App? Lets you put wemo switches into a widget on iOS which is handy. With that and Alexa support I basically never us the main wemo app.
Lol same here except with a google home. Honestly got it cuz I thought I'd be able to control my Android TV with it....
Sadly mistaken. Even though it literally has google assistant built in. Same with my sound bar which has a Chromecast built in... I can set volume and play music on the sound bar and that's about it. Can't even turn them off or on. Really friggen annoying.
So much for dreams of automation if Google devices that all have the same functionality can't even talk to each other.
Your android TV is a chromecast receiver though - you should be able to send stuff to it, as long as it's on. May need a harmony hub to handle turning on/off which will also do volume and channel changing.
I'll look into it espesh the harmony hub, but by default connected right to the Google home app, it tells me outright most basic functions aren't supported.
I currently have an Amazon Echo Dot and three smart plugs: one for our electric fire, one for a lamp and another connected to our Christmas tree lights. It's great.
My next step is smart lighting. I was weighing up whether to get the Ikea Tradfri bulbs as they are cheaper, but the options seem limited. So I will be getting Philips Hue at some point. After that? I don't know. Maybe a Harmony hub so that I can use Alexa to control my TV or other appliances.
My next step is smart lighting. I was weighing up whether to get the Ikea Tradfri bulbs as they are cheaper, but the options seem limited. So I will be getting Philips Hue at some point. After that? I don't know. Maybe a Harmony hub so that I can use Alexa to control my TV or other appliances.
Current setup:
Three Hue strips (two being the main light sources in my room, one wrapped around the underside of my bed for this awesome flow effect)
Logitech Pop to serve as a proto light switch (purchased before the Hue Tap became HomeKit compatible or I would have used that)
Nanoleaf Aurora on my bedroom wall as decoration, 18 triangles in a spiral galaxy shape
Three color hue bulbs in the living room
Three white Hue bulbs in my roommate's room, plus Hue Tap
Bluetooth outlet connected to the WiFi and router for quick remote internet reboots when necessary (might remove that as our internet has been way more reliable and it's kind of a hassle now). Other Bluetooth outlet for the Christmas tree, will now return since Christmas is over
Friend just helped jimmy-rig my August Smart Lock into place, since it wasn't officially compatible with my lock at this apartment, so now I'm crazy about that.
Last thing to hook up is my Honeywell thermostat, which I'll likely have the same friend help out with, and I am all homekitted up for the foreseeable future, at least within the next year.
All this shit is so DOPE
Three Hue strips (two being the main light sources in my room, one wrapped around the underside of my bed for this awesome flow effect)
Logitech Pop to serve as a proto light switch (purchased before the Hue Tap became HomeKit compatible or I would have used that)
Nanoleaf Aurora on my bedroom wall as decoration, 18 triangles in a spiral galaxy shape
Three color hue bulbs in the living room
Three white Hue bulbs in my roommate's room, plus Hue Tap
Bluetooth outlet connected to the WiFi and router for quick remote internet reboots when necessary (might remove that as our internet has been way more reliable and it's kind of a hassle now). Other Bluetooth outlet for the Christmas tree, will now return since Christmas is over
Friend just helped jimmy-rig my August Smart Lock into place, since it wasn't officially compatible with my lock at this apartment, so now I'm crazy about that.
Last thing to hook up is my Honeywell thermostat, which I'll likely have the same friend help out with, and I am all homekitted up for the foreseeable future, at least within the next year.
All this shit is so DOPE
I normally use Amazon Echo for all my smarthome stuff, but someone gave me a Google Home Mini for Christmas. I'm having a problem setting it up though. It wants access to my Chrome web history, which I really don't want to do. I finally gave it permission just to get through the setup, but whenever I turn off the web history permission nothing works. I can't even set a kitchen timer. Am I missing something here? Anyway around this? I guess I could just make a fake google account. But I've bought a lot of music through the google store, and I'd like to use it with the speaker. I'm regretting spending that money now.
We got a Google Home and the Philips Hue starter kit for Xmas. I come home from my parents and my SO bought more lights and a Mini for the kitchen. I think he's found a new time-waster. :)
I need to look into getting some smart outlets, so I'm going to take a look at the ones mentioned in here. Are there any of the cheaper imported brands I should stay away from?
I'd love to do some irrigation control with it, but since it's a rental house, I doubt our landlord would love me messing with all the sprinkler wiring and such. I wish there was an easier way to take old existing tech and smartify it.
I need to look into getting some smart outlets, so I'm going to take a look at the ones mentioned in here. Are there any of the cheaper imported brands I should stay away from?
I'd love to do some irrigation control with it, but since it's a rental house, I doubt our landlord would love me messing with all the sprinkler wiring and such. I wish there was an easier way to take old existing tech and smartify it.
Samsung Smartthings as Central Z-Wave Hub
Google Home as Voice Interface with Smartthings
3x Google Home in Kitchen, Living, and master Bedroom
3x Google Home Mini in each bathroom and office
All 3 HDTVs are connected to nVidia Shields with built in chromecast (I can turn on/off the TVs and volume with voice via Google Home)
I'm using a YoutubeTV subscription for my TV service so I can change channels via voice as well
All TVs are using Chromecast Audio enabled soundbars (LG and Vizio) so they can be operated independently as a wireless speaker via Spotify or Google Home
Thermostat is NEST v2 which is controlled by app or by voice via Google Home
4x Nest Protect Smoke Detectors.
2x Zooz multifunction Z-Wave sensors that monitor light/humidity/sound throughout the house, these are set to automatically switch on a dehumidifier (on a GE Z-Wave outlet) when humidity goes above 50% or turn on lights automatically when it detects motion in low light.
All lightswitches are on Leviton Z-Wave Dimmers (all lights can be dimmed via Smartthings app or via voice using Google Home)
All bathroom fans are on Leviton Z-Wave Switches (set an auto timer for the fans and also auto-off when we leave the house)
All doors are on Schlage Z-Wave Locks (can lock/unlock via app or via proximity)
All doors have Z-Wave open/close sensors (Smartthings "arms" our Dome sirens when we leave the house)
Garage doors (2) have Z-Wave GoControl openers
Water main valve has a Dome Z-Wave valve that automatically shuts off water when a leak is detected on any of the Dome Z-Wave water sensors (on the tankless water heater and HVAC system)
3x Dome Z-Wave Sirens throughout the house
Outside Perimeter of house has Dome Z-Wave motion sensors that chime the sirens when someone approaches the house
Front Door has Ring Pro camera and motion sensor (outdoor motion pings my smartphone Ring app)
Back and Side Doors have Ring camera floodlights with motion sensor (outdoor motion pings my smartphone Ring app)
Inside of the house has 3x FOSCAM R2 IP cameras with PTZ.. all set to record 24/7 to my NAS
Our smartphones are set as Smarththings proximity sensors so all the lights turn off automatically and doors lock automatically when we are more than 500ft from the house. I can pretty much control everything electronic in my house via voice control on one of the 6 Home devices or using smartphone apps. If I'm out of the house I will know if there is any motion inside or outside of the house, if there is any water leak, if there is any smoke, or if any light or electronic device is turned on.
I tried the Alexa/Hue route and found it to be very primitive in control granularity compared to Google/Smartthings/Cast
Google Home as Voice Interface with Smartthings
3x Google Home in Kitchen, Living, and master Bedroom
3x Google Home Mini in each bathroom and office
All 3 HDTVs are connected to nVidia Shields with built in chromecast (I can turn on/off the TVs and volume with voice via Google Home)
I'm using a YoutubeTV subscription for my TV service so I can change channels via voice as well
All TVs are using Chromecast Audio enabled soundbars (LG and Vizio) so they can be operated independently as a wireless speaker via Spotify or Google Home
Thermostat is NEST v2 which is controlled by app or by voice via Google Home
4x Nest Protect Smoke Detectors.
2x Zooz multifunction Z-Wave sensors that monitor light/humidity/sound throughout the house, these are set to automatically switch on a dehumidifier (on a GE Z-Wave outlet) when humidity goes above 50% or turn on lights automatically when it detects motion in low light.
All lightswitches are on Leviton Z-Wave Dimmers (all lights can be dimmed via Smartthings app or via voice using Google Home)
All bathroom fans are on Leviton Z-Wave Switches (set an auto timer for the fans and also auto-off when we leave the house)
All doors are on Schlage Z-Wave Locks (can lock/unlock via app or via proximity)
All doors have Z-Wave open/close sensors (Smartthings "arms" our Dome sirens when we leave the house)
Garage doors (2) have Z-Wave GoControl openers
Water main valve has a Dome Z-Wave valve that automatically shuts off water when a leak is detected on any of the Dome Z-Wave water sensors (on the tankless water heater and HVAC system)
3x Dome Z-Wave Sirens throughout the house
Outside Perimeter of house has Dome Z-Wave motion sensors that chime the sirens when someone approaches the house
Front Door has Ring Pro camera and motion sensor (outdoor motion pings my smartphone Ring app)
Back and Side Doors have Ring camera floodlights with motion sensor (outdoor motion pings my smartphone Ring app)
Inside of the house has 3x FOSCAM R2 IP cameras with PTZ.. all set to record 24/7 to my NAS
Our smartphones are set as Smarththings proximity sensors so all the lights turn off automatically and doors lock automatically when we are more than 500ft from the house. I can pretty much control everything electronic in my house via voice control on one of the 6 Home devices or using smartphone apps. If I'm out of the house I will know if there is any motion inside or outside of the house, if there is any water leak, if there is any smoke, or if any light or electronic device is turned on.
I tried the Alexa/Hue route and found it to be very primitive in control granularity compared to Google/Smartthings/Cast
Last edited:
Amazon Echo in the bedroom. One Echo dot in the kitchen and another in the den.
Philips Hue bulbs in every room actively used. Only one ceiling fan doesn't have the bulbs.
Control all of the lights through Alexa. So used to it now I think using a light switch is primitive.
Philips Hue bulbs in every room actively used. Only one ceiling fan doesn't have the bulbs.
Control all of the lights through Alexa. So used to it now I think using a light switch is primitive.
I got 3 Echo Dots and all of my lamps plugged into smart plugs so now I just yell at Alexa to turn on everything
Purchased a new home and I want to make it as smart as possible. I have two sets of the Hue lights starter kit, and got a free google home with one set due to the best buy deal. I also have a mini and chromecast for all the tvs. I want to get a few more hues and probably another mini.
I also plan on getting a Nest thermostat and wonder if their doorbell would be best or just get a Ring. I know you have to pay for storage with the Ring and it''ll likely be the same for the Nest Hello.
I also plan on getting a Nest thermostat and wonder if their doorbell would be best or just get a Ring. I know you have to pay for storage with the Ring and it''ll likely be the same for the Nest Hello.
The only issue I'm seeing with the the Nest Hello is that it records video 24/7.
Not sure I want my router being hit non-stop with that and also electricity-wise having to power the doorbell while it's recording all the time.
Crap, was really looking forward to the Hello but this might be a deal-breaker.
Not sure I want my router being hit non-stop with that and also electricity-wise having to power the doorbell while it's recording all the time.
Crap, was really looking forward to the Hello but this might be a deal-breaker.
So....right now I have Echo Dot and Phillips Hue and I love being able to turn on/off my lights via voice.
I'd like to extend this to my home theater set up...here's what I'd like to do. I'd like to come home and:
1. Turn on/off my TV/Cable Box/Receiver
2. Possible change channels on my cable box via voice commands
3. Change television input on my TV when needed
4. Change stereo input when needed
5. Turn on my PS4
Which of these numbered items can I do, and what would be the bare minimum in order to achieve this? Can do I do all alone with a Harmony Hub or would I need a remote as well?
What is the correct hub? I know there was an older version that logitech stopped supporting. Just want to make sure I get the right one.
I'd like to extend this to my home theater set up...here's what I'd like to do. I'd like to come home and:
1. Turn on/off my TV/Cable Box/Receiver
2. Possible change channels on my cable box via voice commands
3. Change television input on my TV when needed
4. Change stereo input when needed
5. Turn on my PS4
Which of these numbered items can I do, and what would be the bare minimum in order to achieve this? Can do I do all alone with a Harmony Hub or would I need a remote as well?
What is the correct hub? I know there was an older version that logitech stopped supporting. Just want to make sure I get the right one.
Last edited:
My wife won an Echo Plus, Philips Hue light bulb, and a remote from her company Christmas party. So far, to get everything requires too much money and we have held off purchasing anything to complement these items. I kind of wish the prize was a Google Home instead of an Echo Plus, but I'm not going to complain about a free item. We will probably dive more into this once we get our own place. Otherwise, we are just using it to play some music, set timers and alarms, get news updates, and/or just let it sit there on the table.
Purchase a harmony remote hub. This will do 1-4. PS4 can be turned off, but not turned on with the harmony remote hub. I'm using the harmony hub and just telling alexa to turn the tv on or change the channel. It's pretty cool.
Add me to automation team now.
3 Echo's
1 Nest Gen 3
1 Eufy Robovac 11+
So far things are pretty fucking amazing if I'm being honest. Next up are smart plug in each room of the house and outdoor cameras. Is there a general idea for the best/ease of use outdoor camera to use? I see the Nest outdoor camera and I like keeping things in the eco system, but... I'm not a fan of that huge 7/8 power cord that needs to be drilled and ran inside the house. I suppose I'd prefer avoiding batteries altogether but not sure what the best modern, smart outdoor camera system is. Using the Alexa and Nest apps are good, but I want to avoid product sprawl and having to use more apps to manage if possible.
Also, ideally I'd need 3-4 cameras. My lot is 9,000sq/ft and I'm on a corner so I have lots of sight unseen.
3 Echo's
1 Nest Gen 3
1 Eufy Robovac 11+
So far things are pretty fucking amazing if I'm being honest. Next up are smart plug in each room of the house and outdoor cameras. Is there a general idea for the best/ease of use outdoor camera to use? I see the Nest outdoor camera and I like keeping things in the eco system, but... I'm not a fan of that huge 7/8 power cord that needs to be drilled and ran inside the house. I suppose I'd prefer avoiding batteries altogether but not sure what the best modern, smart outdoor camera system is. Using the Alexa and Nest apps are good, but I want to avoid product sprawl and having to use more apps to manage if possible.
Also, ideally I'd need 3-4 cameras. My lot is 9,000sq/ft and I'm on a corner so I have lots of sight unseen.
Yes, but they must have went up in price. I got my harmony hub and it came with a remote as well for about the same price (or less). But yeah, that hub is what will allow your Alexa control your TV/receiver/cable/AV equipment. I looked at other options, but I think this is still the best that's out there.
Near Christmas (mid-dec), walmart had a sale for in store pickup for like $55 with hub and the basic remote. It was this version: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BQ5RYI4/?tag=era0f0-20
That's the price I got mine at it. Easy decision at that price! So to see the hub only for $70 is a lot more expensive than it was during the holiday season.
How does the Harmony hub work with IR devices like a receiver? I would assume it needs to be placed in line of sight, but I'm not sure I have a place to put it to make that work.
Can someone help point me in a good summary of the benefits of Hue? I went into Best Buy and was overwhelmved by the number of light options and everything. I live in a small condo... would I still get use from it? How long do bulbs last? Seem expensive to change often.
It comes with an IR sensor that plugs into the harmony hub. It's go some length to it so you can position it so you can pick up your receiver and other IR devices. My hub is right next to my receiver so there isn't a problem.
They're LED so they should last 10-15 years.
I use mine for various purposes....
1. Turn on/off when I'm away from home and want to appear home. You can control the lights from out of your house via the Hue app.
2. They're all dimmable. You can adjust the dimness on the hue app
3. You can set up routines on the Hue app to turn on/off at different times of the day
4. You can integrate with Alexa/Google Home to turn them on/off and dim them via voice commands
super technical:
5. If you program you can access the Hue API to make the lights do different shit like blink or change dimness or color depending on data input you feed it (for example, your favorite team scores, change your lights to blue) etc...
I just love coming home to a dark house and my hands are full of groceries etc to just say "Alexa, turn on the lights" and it happens
Has anyone ordered from the Google Store before? Is it normal for an order (Home Mini) to take over a month to ship...?
Oh, that's neat. Makes the decision to buy a lot easier (when it goes back on sale).
On some items if it's on back order (though they tell you this before you order). Looking at the Home Mini, it seems like it's shipping right away so that is unusual to take so long. I'd contact them and see what's up.
It's pretty cool. I've programmed a routine in Alexa. All I have to say is "Good night" and it turns off the living room lights and shuts down the TV/receiver.
it actually comes with 2 IR blasters with fairly long cables you can place else where, the box itself is also an IR blaster. It also looks for/detects wifi devices and will program and send commands to them over wifi.
Sooo currently I have:
-Amazon Echo Gen 2 (Living/Dining Room)
-Amazon Tap (Bedroom)
-Amazon Echo Dot (Bathroom)
-2x TP-Link Color Bulbs
-2x TP-Link Smart Switch
-1x TP-Link Smart Plug
-1x Nest Cam
-1x Logitech Harmony Hub
-1x Samsung Smart TV (works with Samsung Smarter Things)
I live in an apartment by myself, but I find all of this so fascinating. I'm going to see if my apartment is Nest compatible, and if so, get that thermostat.
-Amazon Echo Gen 2 (Living/Dining Room)
-Amazon Tap (Bedroom)
-Amazon Echo Dot (Bathroom)
-2x TP-Link Color Bulbs
-2x TP-Link Smart Switch
-1x TP-Link Smart Plug
-1x Nest Cam
-1x Logitech Harmony Hub
-1x Samsung Smart TV (works with Samsung Smarter Things)
I live in an apartment by myself, but I find all of this so fascinating. I'm going to see if my apartment is Nest compatible, and if so, get that thermostat.
I bought the Aurora Rhythm kit over the holiday, also on sale. I'll be picking it up next week; can't wait to play around with it.
Right now, I have 2x TP-link color lights, a smart plug, a regular Echo and a Dot. I'm really into the whole smart lighting thing for ambiance. I'll probably be getting a few LED strips to hang up too.
Anyone have a Nest thermostat and like it? I noticed I can get a $100 rebate on one so I'm suddenly interested...
I have an Echobee 4 which can get you similar rebates. Definitely like it a lot.
Also did anyone see the Kohler bathroom/kitchen products announced at CES? I used to work for them and would love to have these in a renovated bathroom or kitchen.
https://www.us.kohler.com/us/smarthome/content/smarthome.htm
A toilet you talk to eh? If there's one object I definitely don't wanna personify, its the toilet.
Joking aside, the voice controlled shower that remembers your settings seems pretty cool. Very Star Trek. "Computer set shower temperature to 100 degrees. Full spread. Engage!" Its probably gonna cost all the money though.
Joking aside, the voice controlled shower that remembers your settings seems pretty cool. Very Star Trek. "Computer set shower temperature to 100 degrees. Full spread. Engage!" Its probably gonna cost all the money though.
I'm really kind of surprised that it has taken them this long to bring some of that stuff to market. Stuff like the smart shower/bath panel seems like it would have been pretty obvious.
We are getting ready to renovate our master bathroom in the next year or so, so it would be nice to integrate some of this stuff. I've got a feeling the initial pricing is going to be insane though.
Wow, those are really cool! Not sure I can think of any practical applications, but I dig it.
I bought a Nest Secure alarm system yesterday since Best Buy had them for 20% off. Setup was, of course, a breeze. A little dismayed to learn that IFTTT doesn't support the Secure yet, but it's only a matter of time.
I'm ready to pull the trigger on a smart doorbell. Trying to decide between Ring Pro and Nest Hello.
I already have Nest Secure and thermostat so I'm tempted to stay in that ecosystem. I'm reading that Hello continuously records video 24/7 and I'm concerned about my router being hit like that constantly. Not only potentially slowing other devices' access down but also the amount of data I'll be using on a monthly basis. Is this a valid concern? Or is the type of video it'll be recording not be significant enough to use up a ton of bandwidth?
I already have Nest Secure and thermostat so I'm tempted to stay in that ecosystem. I'm reading that Hello continuously records video 24/7 and I'm concerned about my router being hit like that constantly. Not only potentially slowing other devices' access down but also the amount of data I'll be using on a monthly basis. Is this a valid concern? Or is the type of video it'll be recording not be significant enough to use up a ton of bandwidth?
Oh, they're not practical at all. Wall art, basically. But they're cool as hell.
I'll probably get a Hue Lightstrip to go behind the TV next. The Razer integration is supposed to be pretty neat.