Latest revision as of 16:38, 19 January 2013

Introduction

Hello all. My name is Valent and I live in Croatia. Have been playing with LMCE for a number of years now. I would class myself as a user due to my complete lack of any development skills, so am always keen to help in any way I can. By profession I am a Fiber Optics and Networking technician in the ISP industry. In my spare time I enjoy biking, meditating, scuba diving, OpenStreetMap mapping and various other little electronics/DIY projects. I'm Linux and Open Source evangelist and animal rights activist. Any remaining free time is spent with my extremely patient and long-suffering girlfriend with whom I live.

Software

My current installation is based on the beta 23165 23388 23493 23563 snapshot http://linuxmce.iptp.org/snapshots/

Hardware

Main Core (Hybrid)

• Case: NZXT Lexa Blackline Blue
• CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5400+
  • Socket AM2
  • possible upgrade - AMD Athlon II X3 455
• MB: ASUS M3N78-EM
  • Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 8300
  • Gigabit LAN
  • HDMI
  • Socket AM2/AM2+
• HDD: 80GB HDD for LinuxMCE
• Storage: additional 4x1TB drives
  • setup: RAID-5 + LVM + LUKS encryption

Core (Hybrid) used for testing

• CPU: AMD Barton Mobile 2500+
• MB: ASUS A7N8X Deluxe (nForce2 chipset)
  • Audio: Onboard nForce2 Soundstorm audio chip (not working in 0810 and disabled)
  • Network: Onboard 3Com NIC (Gigabit) for internal network
  • Network: Onboard NForce NIC for external network
• Audio: Aureal Vortex 3D PCI
• RAM: 1GB
• Monitor: Philips 190V7FB 19"
  • Max Resolution 1280 x 1024 / 75 Hz
  • Max Sync Rate (V x H) 76 Hz x 83 kHz
• VGA: Matrox Millenium G450 AGP, using UI1
• VGA: ATI Radeon 9600 AGP
• VGA: Nvidia GeForce 7300 AGP, Point Of View

AsRock 330 ION HT

I'll try AsRock 330 ION HT both as MD and as a Core. Then share my experience with it.

Hardware issues

Audio card onboard Asus A7N8X Deluxe by default uses snd_intel8x0 Linux module but that doesn't work at all, then I compiled nvsound driver manually [1], got module built and loaded but still no sound?!?. rperre on IRC also has same motherboard and same issue so we both decided it is best to disable this sound card in bios and install PCI audio card instead.

Smart Home Devices

ZWave devices

• Aeon Labs Z-Wave Interface with built-In Inclusion Remote
• HomePro ZDW232 dimmer light switch
• Düwi ZW ZDAN 300 Dimmer
• Everspring SP103 motion sensor
• Everspring SM103 door/window sensor
• Düwi ZW ESJ 05436 Düwi ZWave Sun Window Blind Insert
• Düwi Popp ZW WS 05443 Battery powered ZWave switch

Security devices

• Foscam FI8908W Webcam [2]

Wish List

ZWave gear

• Seluxit viaSENS Home Controller ZWave controller
  • ZWave4U - 95€
  • Domotica shop NL - 100€
• Vera Internet Gateway
  • ZWave4U - 200€
• ACT Homepro ZRW230 (ZWave on/off switch)
• ACT Homepro ZRM230 (ZWave on/off double switch)
• Düwi 05437 (Pluggin on/off 3500W switch)
• QEES Power ON/OFF switch with built in power meter
• Aeon Labs Energy Meter
• ABMHZ - AC Shade/Blind Motor Controller
• FortrezZ WV-01 Water Valve (Emergency Water Valve)
• Danfoss RA-K Plus-w (Radiator regulator)
  • Domotica Shop NL - 55€
• Z-Wave Rauchmelder SF812 (Smoke sensor) - 70€
  • Zwave4u - 70€

Other gear

• EnOcean TCM120 (EnOcean radio module)
• EnOcean PTM200 (EnOcean batteryless switch module)
• Phoenix Solo USB microphone
• Cisco 7970 IP Phone
• TAI8515 1-Wire Wind kit (
• Logitech Squeezebox (Audio multizone streamer)
• MDT JAL 0810 (8 port EIB/KNX blinds actuator)
• MDT AKS-1216 (12 port EIB/KNX switch actuator)
• Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 MCE TV Tuner

http://www.globalcache.com/products/itach/ip2irspecs/

• GlobalCache iTach IP2IR (IR control via TCP/IP, door bell, contact closure, switch, serial port) (100$)
  • Smarthome - 97$
  • HomeSeer - 99$
  • Amazon - 117$
• GlobalCache GC-100 (IR control via TCP/IP, door bell, contact closure, switch, serial port) (137$)
  • Smarthome - 135$
  • HomeSeer - 137$
  • Smarthome Products - 137$
  • Amazon - 145$

ZWave Shops

Full list of Home Automation shops can be seen on Where to Buy Wiki page, but this is my personal list:

• ZWave4u
• Home4U Store
• Domotica Shop NL

Learning about smart home technology, LinuxMCE way

I really love smart home technology and have been thinking and dreaming about it for last 15 years. So when I saw LinuxMCE for the first time I was awe struck. I was amazed by what is possible but even more that it is possible to get involved with this project and make your own smart home. For first year or two I didn't really do much, but since late 2008, for last two years I got my hands really dirty with LinuxMCE. After lots and lots of reading I finally got my head around most of smart home technologies and protocols. Now that I hopefully know what how each of the technologies fits in greater scheme of things I can go and create a few mini projects in my flat to demo LinuxMCE and smart home technologies.

LinuxMCE learning Tasks

• [DONE] Install LinuxMCE
• [DONE] Get familiar with LinuxMCE Orbiter UI
• [DONE] Buy ZWave starter kit (Dongle, wall plug and one light switch)
• [DONE] Get LinuxMCE to control lights connected to wall plug and via light switch
• [DONE] Buy ZWave motion and door sensor
• [DONE] Get lights to turn on and off triggered by motion and door sensors
• Configure advanced security and motion detection scenarios

Interesting LinuxMCE links

• RoamingOrb - iPhone LinuxMCE app
• Web Orbiter 2.0 - Web Orbiter
• PadOrbiter 2.0 - touch orbiters on MeeGo
• Squeezeslave on the core
• LG Serial Control TVs
• ARM Based computers
  • GuruPlug
    • Guruplug on Forum
  • Dreamplug
    • Dreamplug
  • RaspberryPi
    • RaspberryPi
• Tellstick (Cheap wireless control)
  • Tellstick on Forum