Z-wave portal and gateways

[edek]

I’m pretty new to home automation using Z-wave, have been using klik-aan-klik-uit (kaku) so far, but this is very limited in it’s functionality. When I started looking for an interface between kaku, my somfy screens and shades, and a way to control A/V equipment, preferably by using my iPad of android phone as a remote, I stumbled onto Z-wave.
I did some research, I’m thinking of buying a Vera (V1 or V2, an advise on this?), I want to have a dedicated device as a portal. I want it dedicated, although a have a HP ML150 server with UPS running, I prefer to separate my business server from my home automation system. If any of you have other ideas on this, I would like to hear them.

I have a couple of questions that needs to be answered:
1) What do I need to control my IR A/V systems, do I need a wifi of Ethernet to IR gateway?
2) What software do I need to control everything, is the portal on the Vera sufficient, or do I have any other options?
3) Besides controlling it by iPad of Android phone (if that is even possible), what’s the best simple remote for only controlling the lights?
4) Is it possible to control my Somfy RTS screens and shades, what do I need as in interface?
5) Last of all: best place or webshop to buy this for a reasonable price

Thanks for helping me out.

Edek

[TANE]

Edek,
If you are running a server you can install vmware on this machine and run any domotica software.
Zwave gateways are nice but also a bit limited in functionality.
For IR most of the users here are using Irtrans.
You can contact me for more info about hardware software and domotica devices.

[edek]

Tane,
thanks for your reply. I'm already running server 2008 with hyper-v, with several virtual (windows) machines. Running an extra virtual machine just for domotica would be no problem, but this would mean an extra machine to maintain. My hope is that a hardware device would be simpler to maintain, and would be fully separated from my (business) servers. Which domotica software would you recommend?

Btw, I ordered the Vera V1 this afternoon, together with some switches and sensors, just to get aquainted with z-wave. I will receive the goodies tomorrow, I'll replace my gardenlighting KUKA switches first. Also I hope I can solve my problem with automatic garage-lighting (problems covering the complete garage area with doors on both sides with 2 motion detectors, cealing is quite low, always have had "deadzones"), I ordered sensors for the doors, want to make a scene where the lights will stay on for a certain time after opening and then closing the door. If this is not sufficient I'll probably add a motion detector in the center.

Concerning controlling IR devices: according to Ezhome this can't be done with the Vera, he told me to use SQ Remote with the Squareconnect Puck IR blaster which will be available soon. I can also use SQ Remote on my Android, iPhone and iPAd to control Z-wave components.
I did notice IRtrans before, will this also work with SQ Remote? I've read about iTach IR blasters in the Micasaverde forums, any experience with these?
Thanks!

[TANE]

If you have more VM's running one extra will not be that problem.
I know SQ remote and Vera well. Good products with lot of options but also limitation in felxibility of using non zwave products.

Like most of the other users I'm also using Homeseer. This may be not the best software tool but it's the most flexible one.
Flexibility is what domotica is missing. I don't want to wait for years for availability of the products..just use any available product and combine it with central software.
Door sensors is the best choice for turning on the lights fast.
See my review of the ever spring door sensor.
http://blog.tane.nl/?p=178

[structor]

3) Besides controlling it by iPad of Android phone (if that is even possible), what’s the best simple remote for only controlling the lights?
Yup
http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php?board=12.0
domoticaforum.eu/viewtopic.php?f=50&amp ... isa#p35188
(The last is my project which is moving very slow, but i intend to make it available when its in somewhat more complete fase. Currently its covering my needs but contains some hard coded stuff, which should be removed. But there are always bigger priorities so it seems. At the moment the bigger priority is trying to make a port for the ipad, but apple is so amazingly open )
5) Last of all: best place or webshop to buy this for a reasonable price
Edek

I am very happy with ezhome. Prices are reasonable, I wish home automation was cheaper on general. And he's very helpfull, at least in my case. Jan Willem was/is here also on this forum.

[chilwd]

3) Besides controlling it by iPad of Android phone (if that is even possible), what’s the best simple remote for only controlling the lights?
Yup
http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php?board=12.0
domoticaforum.eu/viewtopic.php?f=50& ... isa#p35188
(The last is my project which is moving very slow, but i intend to make it available when its in somewhat more complete fase. Currently its covering my needs but contains some hard coded stuff, which should be removed. But there are always bigger priorities so it seems. At the moment the bigger priority is trying to make a port for the ipad, but apple is so amazingly open )
5) Last of all: best place or webshop to buy this for a reasonable price
Edek

I am very happy with ezhome. Prices are reasonable, I wish home automation was cheaper on general. And he's very helpfull, at least in my case. Jan Willem was/is here also on this forum.

Since Tane probably doesn't do to much self promotion on this forums I (as a recently happy customer) might do that for him. Reasonable prices, lots of help and advice for your home situation. Find his webshop when you google for "Tane webshop". Would definably buy there again!

I have a homeseer->z-wave-> ipad setup. Working with homeseeer i.m.h.o. gives loads of variety and options but the downside of that is that it does need a fair amount of programming and setting up. Now everything is done I'm real happy with the result. Especially the HStouch interface on your Ipad is that much more visually appealing and easy to work with in comparison with sq remote for example. As long as I don't make any mistakes woth programming buttons the wife is quite pleased with Ipad-HStouch interface