As technology becomes more and more prevalent in our lives and homes, so to do the numbers of wires and outlets we need to connect everything. Often times, a rats nest of tangle cords is seen as a necessary evil that’s required if you want to stay connected in the digital age. So, it’s good to see manufacturers coming up with ways to keep a home stylish while not limiting the number of gadgets we can have on at one time.
Picture above shows the Large Power Pylon Kitchen Power Gromett from Mockett, and it’s pretty nifty if a little pricey at $127. Still, it’s a cool product to keep in mind while building your dream home.
If you’re in the process of building a home, there’s a few places you should think about adding outlets to that’ll save you some hassle in the years to come.
One good idea is to put a one or two under the eaves of your house to make hanging Christmas lights a breeze, and the other overlooked place is in your designated cleaning closet if you think you’ll ever own a rechargeable vacuum. Adding a few more outlets to your build won’t cost much and the it’s always good to think ahead.
It’s important to know your IP address when setting up a home network, configuring port forwarding, or even when calling MHA for support. Luckily finding out your IP address is pretty simple.
The Easy Way:
Type “ip address” into Google search.
Another Easy Way:
Go to WhatisMyIP.com.
The Hard Way (Windows):
Go to Start
Click on Run
Type cmd and hit enter (use command in Win98)
Type ipconfig and hit enter
The Hard Way (Mac):
Click the Apple logo in the upper left corner of the menu bar at the top of the screen.
Select System Preferences
Select Network in the Internet & Wireless field. Your Mac’s IP address is displayed under “Status.”
There has been a lot of discussion over Cat5e and Cat6, and since most of our systems run on Cat5e/Cat6, it’s important to know which to use.
What’s the difference between Cat5e and Cat6?
The main difference between the two wires is bandwidth. Cat5e supports a bandwidth of 100MHz, and Cat6 runs at 200 MHz. While both systems support Gigabit networking, Cat6 is able to handle it in an easier way.
It’s easiest to think of bandwidth in terms of cars on a highway. Both a Ford Escort and a Corvette can ride along at 70 mph, but the Corvette does it much easier than the Escort.
Why wouldn’t I use Cat6 in my home?
There are 2 main reasons that we like to use Cat5e for most of our equipment. First, Cat6 is about twice the price of Cat5e. Second, the connectors for Cat6 are much more difficult to install then the connectors for Cat5e.
Additionally, we use Cat5e for many devices that have extremely low bandwidth requirements such as touch screens and thermostats. For devices like this, Cat5e is more than enough. In fact, we only recommend using Cat6 for data and video networks.
Final Thoughts
We prefer to use Cat5e due to its low price, ease of use, and that it is the standard. Most equipment is being designed to run on Cat5e. That being said, it does make sense to run some Cat6 especially for your data network in large homes that will have extensive data requirements. The average home automation system we do requires about 6,000 feet of wire. Upgrading 1,000 feet of that to Cat6 will cost you about $100, but it is a smart upgrade.
In this video we demonstrate the HAI OmniTouch Camera Server and show how it is displayed on you touch screens, iPhone, and computer.
Watch as Matt shows you how to the HAI Video Server integrates into your home automation to create a more complete system
Designed to integrate up to 4 cameras into your user interfaces throughout your home.
It can also integrate up to 4 cameras on your iPhone.
It is easy to integrate your security cameras into your HAI home automation system. For more about home automation and control visit milehighautomation.com
Your HAI Scene Controller creates perfect lighting scenes in any room of your house. The lights can be turned on, off, dimmerd, brightened, or set to four different scenes to provide limitless options to bring security and aesthetic lighting into your home.
Once the Scene Controller is installed there are only a few simple steps to configure it to control any light in your home.
Configuring scene controllers:
- Press and hold the ON and OFF buttons. The keypad will start blinking.
- Go to the LCD keypad:
- From the LCD Keypad
- Press 6 (status)
- Press 1 (control)
- Scroll down to the room you are configuring, press #
- Press # to configure it.
- It will go through a 30-40 second procedure to find and program the device.
- The device can now be controlled by your automation system.
- Repeat for each scene controller.
- From the LCD Keypad
To Set a Scene:
- Press a scene button (A, B, C, D)
- Adjust room dimmers as desired
- Push scene button five times – the room light will then blink
- The scene is memorized!
Setting a scene in any room is easy and you will forget how you ever lived without your Mile High Automation lighting control!
Mile High Automation specializes in DIY home automation installations.
Installing your home automation system is no small task, that’s why Mile High Automation creates an installation binder specifically designed for your unique system. Your installation binder will take you step by step through the process, breaking down wiring, placement of each device, and installation procedure.
Your binder will instruct you on how to terminate Cat5e wires, where to connect every zone and output on your Omni Pro II, on how to install your Nuvo Grand Concerto, Omnistat thermostats, OnQ intercoms, and every other device in your system.
Omni Pro II Connections page
Nuvo Grand Concerto installation page
Omnistat RC 2000 instatllation page
The Mile High Automation installation Binder eliminates the need to read the often complicated and confusing instructions that come with each device. The binder will tell you exactly what you need to do and how you need to do it.
And if you run into any problems our support team is readily available to answer any questions at support@milehighautomation.com or 800.610.5280.
It is our goal at Mile High Automation to make the Do-It-Yourself installation process as easy and problem free as possible. This is why we dedicate so much time creating guides that are simple to understand and easy follow.
Once you have finalized your home automation system with your Project Manager he will send your plans to our engineering department where they will create Wiring Guides for your system.
Wiring Guide
Running wires guidelines
Audio wiring rough-in guide
The Wiring Guide is essential to the DIY installer; this is the guide that will tell you how and where to run wires from your automation panel or A/V Rack to each device. The Wiring Guide takes you step by step using your floor plans to map out each device in your system and explain how to wire for that device.
This eliminates the need to read through tedious instructions for each device and eliminates any questions on whether you wired your system correctly.
The Wiring Guides were created to ensure your home is wired right the first time. But if you do run into any problems just give our support team a call or email them at support@milehighautomation.com.
For the DIY home automation installer, the installation process can be confusing and time consuming. That’s why we created the Mile High Automation Rough-In Cards to simplify the process.
There is one card for each device in your system. Take the cards around your home and place them where you would like each device; to visualize your system and ensure accuracy.
Your Rough-In Cards will significantly reduce the time spent on the installation process because once you are ready to begin; you will know where to wire each device and how your system will look; and there is nothing a DIYer likes more than saving time.
Every set of Rough-In Cards are tailored to each customer’s unique system. Each card will be specific to a single device and give its location, mounting instructions, wire type, and wire source.
If you have any questions about these cards or would like more information about home automation please give us a call 800.610.5280 or visit our website www.milehighautomation.com
Building a home can be overwhelming, so much to think about and plan for, don’t let installing your home automation system become another mountain to climb. Mile High Automation’s innovative Online Collaboration puts you in the driver’s seat. Until recently if you wanted a home automation system you had to make calls and emails, wait for the installer to come to your home to review the floor plans and tediously go room by room discussing what you want. And how do you really know what you want?
Mile High Automation has eliminated this inefficient process by offering full home automation systems: multi-room audio, multi-room video, climate control, lighting control, and security, all on your schedule.
Online Collaboration design pages
During an online collaboration, your MHA Project Manager will create a system layout right in front of your eyes. The Online Collaboration allows you to remote in to your Project Manager’s computer so you can watch as he creates a home automation system with your floor plans. This allows you to get a house-wide picture so you will know what to expect from your custom built system.
Project Managers can make changes to your system on the fly, giving you the opportunity to brainstorm about what services you want in your home and to choose those locations on your floor plan. They will answer questions as your system is being designed, so you get a clear understanding of your home’s true potential. All you need is a computer with internet access.
Online Collaboration teaching pages
Feedback from clients has been exceptional, all are saying that this type of “meeting” is very efficient and allows them to feel like they have a larger role in the design process, as well as getting a better feel for just how the system will work once it is installed.
Mile High Automation’s goal is to make sure the customer knows what they are getting. An informed customer knows what they want and is in a position to get the most out of their home automation system. Online Collaborations keep the customer involved in the process of automating their home; after all, you’re the one who have to live there.
Give us a call at 800.610.5280 or visit www.milehighautomation.com to schedule an Online Collaboration for your new home.
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