Electronics in the home are becoming more and more popular every year. An average house will have a radio/CD player, computer, TV, cable or satellite box, and a DVD player. A house, such as this, will benefit from using a universal remote control to eliminate . . .

Electronics in the home are becoming more and more popular every year. An average house will have a radio/CD player, computer, TV, cable or satellite box, and a DVD player. A house, such as this, will benefit from using a universal remote control to eliminate using five remote controls. But, when you add into the equation, thirty zones of lighting control, security, HVAC, multi room audio, window shades, eight viewing rooms, one home theater, mp3 and DVD servers etc., then the need to integrate and control everything becomes an art form. The solution, currently, is to use a control system such as Crestron or AMX. These systems use a computer that controls basically any electronic device and several interfacing controllers ranging from 17 inch touch panels to simple six button keypads. With these systems complete control is possible, but the challenge now lies in the complex variations of programing a working solution for each individual system. I invite all, who are experienced or inexperienced, to share ideas or ask questions about home automation. I would also like to use this group to discus ideas and possibilities for future innovations in the industry.