A few months ago Time magazine dedicated 39 pages to home automation. The article went on and on about the new start-up companies that allow you to control your thermostat or your lights, and more, from your smartphone or iPad. You have probably never heard many of these companies and, reality is, you may never hear from some of them in the near future. Companies that looked promising and offered cool products are falling by the wayside. Colorado vNet, Wink and many others are gone - many before they even ship their first product.

 

Today, it seems as though everyone is jumping on the home automation bandwagon. But what is the real focus of these start-ups? Well, it's not so much to provide "energy saving/smart home" solutions as it is all about selling Apps and making reoccurring revenue. Even large, non start-ups like Comcast are getting into home automation, and because many people already pay them a monthly fee for cable TV, so why not pay for home automation?  

 

Many home automation products communicate to each other wirelessly. To add further confusion there are several different wireless protocols, such as Z-wave, Zigbee and others that do not talk to each other. 

 

I find it ironic that the pioneers in the home automation industry are not mentioned in the Time article. Companies like Crestron and Lutron were instrumental in developing smart home systems. They manufacture high quality, reliable products that can control practically everything in your home or business. And after the initial install, there are no monthly fees.

 

Media Rooms has been designing and installing home automation systems for over 30 years using high quality, reliable products like Crestron, Lutron, URC Total Control and several others.

 

Over the years, we have seen interesting and scary products; like automated light switches that burst into flames as some PHAST switches did (PHAST no longer exists). Or add-on remote control products like "eZ-Remote" that were really not that easy because most of the time they did not work.

 

Home surveillance is a growing segment of the home automation market. But many DIY network surveillance cameras constantly fall off-line, so they are pretty much useless. There are problems with many of these products.

 

All the new start-up home automation companies are generating excitement in the industry, but who do you call if you have a problem? The App won't tell you and good luck trying to get a customer service person to help you.

 

Using reliable products from manufacturers that have a vested interest in the technology is essential. Equally essential is working with a home technology company, like Media Rooms Inc. We are here to assist you, give us a call.