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My job is actually programming home and business A/V and environment control systems for a living. While it won't be the cheapest option, if you want the best, go with one of the 2 biggest and most reputable manufacturers out there: Crestron Electronics -or- AMX. These are the systems that the big luxury homes/mansions get. Crestron -> http://www.crestron.com/ AMX -> http://www.amx.com/ Both manufacturers make wide assortment of proprietary touch panels, keypads, and central control processors for every possible scenario. Both are networkable, and can control anything that is IP / Serial / IR / Relay / or Voltage controllable. They are completely customizable, and do just about anything you want them to do. Each program that is written for these are usually unique to the system and clients desires of what they want. The downside to these options, is they don't come pre-programmed, and you can't get your hands on the delevopment suite without being a dealer. The reason is, these are not just setup/configured like other options out there, they are complete embedded platforms that require programming to get them to do things. Same with the touch screen interfaces, you actually have to design/build the GUI front end, and can make it look and work how ever you want. The other advantage, is they can work and control anything you want to throw at them, but they also make lines of audio/video devices that are suited to doing things like whole-home audio distribution, or whole-home video distribution. They make everything from their own pre-amps, surround sound devices, to HD video matrix routers for routing sources around the house. For the best of the best, these two manufacturers are the cream of the crop. (notice: I do not work for either of these two manufacturers, but I have programmed both of them for 14 years, and run my own programming contract business by providing programming for these system. )

I am a builder from Australia and use a system called AMX. It is the most advanced (and most expensive) system available. It does from memory run on a custom unix or linux platform. It can pretty much control anything as long as you have the money to spend on the system. The system in my house was aproximately AUD $230,000 including the Clipsal C-bus lighting system, plasma screens, cinema system, multi-room audio system and lots of other bits & pieces. This might seem expensive but its actually quite a cheap installation for this type of system. AMX is used in the United States Military, the white house, homes such as that of Bill Gates, etc. I highly recommend it if you can afford it. See http://www.amx.com/

About a year ago I designed a lock that uses an electric door strike like the one in the article, an AMX 8-button keypad and control system. I wrote a program that uses a custom random number generator to create a unique code based on the date and time period of the day. (e.g 1600-1800 hours) I then wrote a java app to place on my cell phone that, once a password is entered, will display the sequence needed to unlock the door. So, the only way to break it would be to have my phone and my password (or of course my algorithm). This method could easily be applied to this multi-colored pad as well.

The project was actually just a fun one and the door is regularly secured by alternate locking as well, but it is kind of cool.

BTW, the equipment I used is very expensive and I only used it because I used to work in the A/V industry and got it all for free. Not to mention, as a programmer with virtually no circuit design experience it was fairly easy to create.

About a year ago I designed a lock that uses an electric door strike like the one in the article, an AMX 8-button keypad and control system. I wrote a program that uses a custom random number generator to create a unique code based on the date and time period of the day. (e.g 1600-1800 hours) I then wrote a java app to place on my cell phone that, once a password is entered, will display the sequence needed to unlock the door. So, the only way to break it would be to have my phone and my password (or of course my algorithm). This method could easily be applied to this multi-colored pad as well.

The project was actually just a fun one and the door is regularly secured by alternate locking as well, but it is kind of cool.

BTW, the equipment I used is very expensive and I only used it because I used to work in the A/V industry and got it all for free. Not to mention, as a programmer with virtually no circuit design experience it was fairly easy to create.

It would also work extremely well for a universal remote

Try looking at AMX or other similar controllers They are just dumb touch screens for the most part, and require a "controller" in the cabinet with all your equipment, but they give you IR emmitters and serial ports to control most devices, along with Video switchers, scalers, etc. Many models also have an ethernet port, so you can access them remotely, or chain them together. They program with a language that I think is "objective C" which is about the level of a first term C programming class, if you can get your hands on the software.

One newer company that I saw at CEDIA 2004 is Control4. Their products are all zigbee-based and are aimed at average folks. I use some Crestron equipment in my home, which is very stable and reliable. There is a lot of older Crestron equipment you can buy on eBay that still works wonderfully. This is also the case with AMX equipment. The problem with these solutions, as well as cheaper solutions like HAI, is that you have to have the programs to actually program the equipment and it's not easily accessible as you have to be a dealer or work for a dealer of their products to get them. Aurora Multimedia is another company with a lot of great IP based control products. There are a lot of solutions out there for the average consumer, more than most people realize. It's good to go to local homeshows and read home automation blogs. I hope some of this information is helpful. It's my opinion that it's better to spend more on reliable equipment than to buy cheaper stuff that just doesn't work.

Network Operations Centers use these kinds of setups all the time (except for the audio). This is going to seem like a plug, but I've been researching this for work. One that I've found so far is the MediaWall 2000. You can control it via serial or Ethernet, so the presumption is that you might have a customzed/handheld interface developed. They also have other, related products.

You say that you want an on-screen display with remote, but most configurations this complex aren't being built for you, they are going to emergency response centers and such where there is a person in the hot seat watching various view points. It needs to be quick, easy, and customized (label the inputs for example and put the most used at the front of the list). This quickly points to an embedded solution. Talk to a sales rep and find out what your choices are. I'm going to end up doing the same in a few weeks.

I'm quite sure this isn't the only vendor for this type of product, but I did search for a while and came up somewhat cold. Talk to a local audio/video specialist for help, although they probably will want a piece of the action.

As for the audio - you and I both know you need a mixing board, even a simplistic 16-channel version. You said that you want picture within a picture, but these really complex solutions might mean you want four pictures on screen and to have each feed come from one of four speakers, presumably in pseudo-surround mode. A mixer could work in two modes - aux1-aux4 feed amps that drive four speakers around you. The main setup could also just drive your fronts, although you'll lose and 6.1 sound you might be running.

In the end, I think you're overdoing it. You probably can't process more than two pictures at a time, much less 16, unless you're watching sports. You want to avoid a "bunch of VCRs" but yet you want 16 channels of individually tunable inputs ala tuners. I don't get it. You won't be able to maintain surround sound at 6.1 and still have multiple audio feeds. Since you want so much versatility, I assume you're one of those rich boys that will gladly plunk out US$3000 every couple of years for a new display. Then it may also be safe to assume you would pay someone US$1000 to design such a system to your specifications. People do this for a living so as the yellow pages in your area for help with Audio-Visual-Consultants.

Other interesting finds:

• Zektor audio/video switches. 4 channels, but HD and digital audio supported
• Crestron the maker of RS-232 control units.
• AMX - a competitor to Crestron.
• Tekron Communication Systems - okay, these guys are for broadcasters, but maybe you really want to get weird.
• AVR 8000 - a security video switcher
• Barebones for the cheapskate in all of us

That being said, pre-wiring is the most important aspect of what you will be doing. Depending on your budget you will want to wire CAT5 (or 6e) into all light switch and telephone locations. At a minimum you will need CAT5 to every video location.

Wireless technology is too dependant on outside factors to be reliable. Good old copper gets the 1s and 0s to the correct place much more efficently. Plus, if it's called for, power over ethernet doesn't work very well wirelessly :) CAT5 isn't just for bits and bytes any more. It works great for remote thermostat sensors, infrared transmission, etc..

While we install touch panels by AMX Corp. the same thing can be done with a cheap touch overlay'ed display, PXE, and VNC. I would recommend staying away from X10 products. If you don't want to spend the time to write your own control software, the NetLinx programming language (used on AMX products) is easier than learning QBasic. Some of their controllers show up on Ebay for reasonable amounts.

The single most preventative aspect of this project is the amount of time involved. We will spend months in design, prewire, install, and programming on even relatively small systems. But if your wiring is not in place, no amount of time spent will be as productive.

I see a lot of people out there discounting the capabilites of Sonos because they really don't understand what exactly the system does versus alternate setups. To be fair, Sonos competes directly with high-end multi-room, multi-source systems such as http://www.elanhomesystems.com/, http://www.crestron.com/, and http://www.amx.com/. All of these systems can cost tens of thousands of dollars for product/install and require that you hardwire your whole house.

Sonos
=-=-=
*multi-room capability (control up to 32 rooms on one controller)
*multi-source capability (play different songs in different rooms)
*synchronization capability (play the same in different rooms, or in groups of different rooms)
*built-in amplifier (not everyone has a speaker amp in each room)
*line-out to existing amplifier (for those beefy existing home theatre setups)
*line-in on each zoneplayer that can be streamed to any other zoneplayer (connect any legacy device like cd/dvd/tape/sat radio/etc.)
*integration with music services (rhapsody)
*integration with internet radio streams
*wireless controller w/ lcd (huge benefit on getting the wife/gf to use it)
*ease of use (anyone can use that scrollwheel interface)
*ease of setup (not everyone is a tech)

Now let's look at the other talked about solutions and compare their capabilities:

Airport Express
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
*line-out to existing amplifier
*can play one audio source at a time (so can either play on my computer, or my airport express)
*walk back to computer each time you want to change anything

Cheapo Dell ($500 - I have yet to actually see anyone get a computer for $299)
=-=-=-=-=-=
*computer functionality at each room [benefit, assuming you have a montior, keyboard, and mouse to take advantage of it]
*no sychronization (might was well have a indepent cdplayers in each room and burn cds)
*need powered speakers at each location (more $$$)
*walk up to computer and change tracks on it

Besides all the extra functionality (link/separting rooms of audio, rhapsody integration, ease of use/setup,...) everyone is missing the most important thing [and what makes the iPod so successful]. THE INTERFACE! Why do people buy iPods in droves instead of getting a regular flash/hard drive based player. It's because the iPod has blended simple but powerful functionality with elegant design. Sonos wireless lcd controller gives that same beautiful abstraction and gives *anyone* control of the audio in their house seamlessly.

Avoid NetMeeting like the plague. That software hasn't been updated since Windows 98, and as a result it is completely unreliable. The university is now using TANDBERG's See & Share software. It allows the presenter to share his desktop and (assuming you are using SMART boards) remote sites can draw on the presenter's screen. I highly recommend the SMART board/See & Share setup. It was easy enough for the professors and students to use, so it should be easy enough for your executives.

To control the whole setup, they had an AMX panel. The panel had a simple tabbed interface that let you turn the system on/off, adjust cameras, select inputs, change the volume, etc.

The video confrencing side is powered by some TANDBERG equipment. I'm not sure what specific box they used, but I can go look at it if you'd like. The cameras were some motorized SONY cams.

The room was set up with a dual display--one big screen TV to see the presenter/far sites and one SMART board. Overall, the system worked very well and was rather seamless. I'd recommend getting in touch with a local university and talking with them. If they have a DL setup, I'm sure they can give you some valuable insight. You can also take a look at this page about DL from the university I took my classes from (and a picture of a DL room).

have a look at AMX stuff..not cheap, but very reliable, and the programming backend is a lot more powerful than competitors like crestron!

The same kind of people who go to AMX for wired home solutions.

There are only 2 main players in the millionare home and lecture theatre/boardroom setup - AMX and Crestron . Both charge an arm and a leg for solutions.

AMX even have their own unique programming language which means lucrative engineer visits every time you add a new piece of kit. It is very Visual Basic like but the only way to learn the language and acquire the compilier is spend a fortune on an AMX programming course. A user programmable remote control for $700 is easily a better solution for homes and small offices.

This could be Sony's attempt to break into the market, there is a huge gap between the millionare home theatre system, and the consumer level home theatre setup, Sony could well be planning to target this untapped market.

The HAVI inter-operability protocol includes what you're talking about regarding state. It's supported by multiple manufacturers, but still questionable whether it will take off...in fact, it looks to be stagnating at the very least.

I'm a professional A/V control systems programmer, and one-way IR-controlled devices are the bane of our existence. If you investigate pro gear intended for permanent installation, even if it's just a VCR, you'll often find a serial port because the manufacturers know it'll be hanging off a control system like Crestron or AMX. But serial protocols are all different, even within the same manufacturer's line. Some are a bitch, some are very, very simple. It's hard to forsee any sort of standardization though, if only because of the wide variety of device functions and the entrenched-ness of manufacturers with their own often long-standing protocols.

So don't look for a common serial protocol. The future of A/V is getting on the network, and efforts are being made on interoperability on this "new" frontier in both corporate and academic worlds.

This AMX multimedia server true AV-nerd quality equipment... but insanly expensive.

Crestron and AMX are only a few (but the best known) of the many companies that have these solutions already.

They aren't cheap but they are tres cool.

As an aside, they all use wires as wireless tend to be for cheap products that are installed by the homeowner after the fact. Real home automation systems are very complex and are usually installed at build or renovation time by professionals.

Check out Enlightened for more links and info.

X-10 is a child's toy. Real men use AMX or Crestron. Try Lutron Radiora for wireless lighting controls. You can integrate anything with these systems.

We used a PII 400 and got a very reliable 5 output stream box using a multi-output card that isn't manufactured any longer. I tried a number of these cards and most of them worked well. [ As an aside, the MOTU high-end units are excellent if you are going to put the output into high-quality amps and speakers, but they are expensive.]

From the software side, we used a custom, multi-threaded MP3 player compiled using Intel's optimizing compilers (which mad a huge difference on the PII) and used a graphical front end with a screen-per-room display showing the album art (scanned in by the user or installer) along with the tracks, play lists, etc.

We did run into a control problem, even though most of our customers were using systems with centrally located gear, which was that getting a PC to run with multiple distinct (and user-uninterruptable) displays simultaneously was expensive and difficult. To supplement this, we created a serial-based interface which allowed for play lists, random play, and basic start/stop/skip controls for each room and could be combined with the GUI over a commercial home control system (like Crestron or AMX).

Basically, we would watch the serial port for commands and respond to the control system by flipping individual windows that corresponded to the room that was controlling the system at the time. The control system, in turn, would put show the screen output in a kind of touch screen mode and send mouse locations over the serial port back to our controller. This worked, but was expensive and complex to handle, since only one room could have control over the GUI at the time. For things like displaying the playing tracks and album along with the next track and providing basic control of the start/stop/skip/repeat sequences, we could send text to the control system over the serial port and it would be displayed on the screen in text fields (allowing the main display to be required only for play-list management). This helped quite a bit.

The control piece was far and away the most difficult part of the project, but since you only have to satisfy yourself, and not the marketplace, I'd suggest that you might find an 802.11-capable PDA as a controller might be useful (and fun to work on). Of course, then you have to either develop your own control protocol or use some kind of CGI and a web server to do the control, but if you separate the players into individual threads or processes that can be easily located, you should be able to send messages (UNIX signals, perhaps) to them and get the level of control that you need.

From a technical perspective, any OS that has preemptive threading and good interprocess communication should be fine for building this kind of system. We found that by creating our own player (despite the need to license the decode patent from Fraunhofer if we were to sell it commercially), we were able to get a finer control of the playback features (such as pause/skip/repeat) than by using single-shot mp3 play commands that were available at the time. I'd suggest looking for how you can get those useful features if you decide to use existing commands in a Linux environment.

Of course, on a Macintosh, you can do the playback through QuickTime, which is going to be easy and highly-controllable, so you have that oppotunity too.

In the end, we found that the customers who got it loved it, but that the installers we were trying to sell to weren't interested in buying a product that required some set-up.

O

My question is, does anyone have any suggestions for *software* to do something like this?

Sure. Download uICE. It supports various infrared controllers such as the IRMan. You can use any infrared remote to control it (your VCR's remote, whatever). Just teach the IR codes to the software and tell it what you want it to do. I use it with an AMX touchscreen linked to an AMX master controller. The master controller sends 6 character strings out one of it's 6 serial ports into one of my server's 10 serial ports. uICE receives those strings and passes control on to Winamp. End result? I can control all functions of Winamp from my living room. The AMX equipment also powers up my audio equipment and switches to the right input when I fire up Winamp from the touchscreen...

That's why we only have filthy rich clients.