dmagerl

I use Homeseer with X10 & z-wave.  I've never seen much need to integrate it with MCE.  Using the TV to turn on the lights just seemed too complex and unecessary.

I agree, using the MCE interface as your primary source for controlling devices isn't necessary however since all of the protocols(zwave,insteon,x10,etc) have issues, its nice to verify something is on or off with out having to leave the couch when something odd happens.  While I dont use the Mediacenter interface alot, when I do, I'm happy that its there. 

Mcontrol's editor does need some revamping, but for the money its a tough product to beat.

 

check out homeseer. i run it and it is great.... it will do more than I know how to code.... zwave stuff is nice and lowish price point

I use mControl inside Win 7 MCE with X-10 & 2 Niles RVL-6 for whole house audio distribution.

This allows me to use the MCE & mControl interface to turn off and on speakers throughout the house. I can also control the volume in each room as well. I have audio authority component distribution that sends the component video of the MCE PC to the TV in each room. There is an IR senderunit at each tv. Each room has a mce remote so you can control the PC and what is playing. since the MCE box aso has a cablecard tuner, each TV still gets teh comcast service including music. We can also view our security camers in the same interface.

So WIn 7 MCE & mControl works really well for us for a lot less than crestron or other systems....

 

Chris

 I currently have X10 with mcontrol, however, when I re-do it, it'll all be Z-Wave for ceiling fans and climate control.

Mostly, it's a 2 way system, X10 is only a one way system, so if someone turns on a light and dims it, it Should register in mcontrol or whatever system you choose to use.

I use CQC with a combination of different hardware. I am hoping to integrate jetstream lighting in the next year. The only problem is that there is no "interface" in MCE but I can still trigger events from mce state changes.

There is a certain coolness factor to having the lights controllable in windwos media center, but $150+ is a steep price to pay for flipping a switch. Is there anything more reasonable out there that maybe has more basic functionality?

http://htpctechreview.blogspot.com/