![For an all-in-one home automation system, few packages can beat the ease of use that
Control4 provides. This total automation system must be installed professionally by an
authorized dealer – Control4 provides a list of these dealers on its site – and may not
be available in all areas. However, if you are searching for a convenient and functional
home automation system, a professionally configured solution from Control4 can help
meet your needs with a modern flair. For this reason, Control4 earns our Top Ten Reviews
Silver Award for home automation systems.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi (or WiFi) is a local area wireless computer networking technology that allows
electronic devices to network, mainly using the 2.4 gigahertz (12 cm) UHF and 5
gigahertz (6 cm) SHF ISM radio bands.
The Wi-Fi Alliance defines Wi-Fi as any “wireless local area network” (WLAN) product
based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ (IEEE) 802.11 standards”.
[1] However, the term “Wi-Fi” is used in general English as a synonym for “WLAN” since
most modern WLANs are based on these standards. “Wi-Fi” is a trademark of the Wi-
Fi Alliance. The “Wi-Fi Certified” trademark can only be used by Wi-Fi products that
successfully complete Wi-Fi Alliance interoperability certification testing.
Many devices can use Wi-Fi, e.g. personal computers, video-game consoles,
smartphones, digital cameras, tablet computers and digital audio players. These can
connect to a network resource such as the Internet via a wireless network access point.
Such an access point (or hotspot) has a range of about 20 meters (66 feet) indoors and
a greater range outdoors. Hotspot coverage can be as small as a single room with walls
that block radio waves, or as large as many square kilometers achieved by using multiple
overlapping access points.
Depiction of a device sending information wirelessly to another device, both connected
to the local network, in order to print a document.
Wi-Fi can be less secure than wired connections, such as Ethernet, precisely because an
intruder does not need a physical connection. Web pages that use TLS are secure, but
unencrypted internet access can easily be detected by intruders. Because of this, Wi-Fi
has adopted various encryption technologies. The early encryption WEP proved easy to
break. Higher quality protocols (WPA, WPA2) were added later. An optional feature added
in 2007, called Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), had a serious flaw that allowed an attacker
to recover the router’s password.[2] The Wi-Fi Alliance has since updated its test plan
and certification program to ensure all newly certified devices resist attacks.
Z-Wave
Z-Wave is a wireless communications specification designed to allow devices in the
home (lighting, access controls, entertainment systems and household appliances, for
example) to communicate with another for the purposes of home automation.
Z-Wave technology minimizes power consumption so that it is suitable for battery-
operated devices. Z-Wave is designed to provide, reliable, low-latency transmission
of small data packets at data rates up to 100kbit/s,[1] unlike Wi-Fi and other IEEE
802.11-based wireless LAN systems that are designed primarily for high data rates.
Z-Wave operates in the sub-gigahertz frequency range, around 900 MHz. This band](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/4929b820-04f7-4edd-943a-3000b9693f7e-161121145524/85/Control4-Handout-4-320.jpg)
![competes with some cordless telephones and other consumer electronics devices, but
avoids interference with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other systems that operate on the crowded
2.4 GHz band. Z-Wave is designed to be easily embedded in consumer electronics
products, including battery operated devices such as remote controls, smoke alarms
and security sensors. Z-Wave was developed by a Danish startup called Zen-Sys that was
acquired by Sigma Designs in 2008.
As of 2015, Z-Wave is supported by over 325 manufacturers worldwide and appears in
a broad range of consumer and commercial products in the US, Europe and Asia. The
lower layers, MAC and PHY, are described by ITU-T G.9959[2][3] and fully backwards
compatible. The Z-Wave transceiver chips are supplied by Sigma Designs and Mitsumi.
Some Z-Wave product vendors have open source options for the hobbyist communities.
They require users to start with a complete Z-Wave transceiver from a Z-Wave OEM
such as an Intermatic USB stick. The xPL project also provides open source support for
Z-Wave products,[4] but requires Microsoft Windows.[5]
ZigBee
ZigBee is a specification for a suite of high-level communication protocols used to
create personal area networks built from small, low-power digital radios. ZigBee is
based on an IEEE 802.15.4 standard. Its low power consumption limits transmission
distances to 10–100 meters line-of-sight, depending on power output and environmental
characteristics,[1] ZigBee devices can transmit data over long distances by passing data
through a mesh network of intermediate devices to reach more distant ones. ZigBee
is typically used in low data rate applications that require long battery life and secure
networking (ZigBee networks are secured by 128 bit symmetric encryption keys.) ZigBee
has a defined rate of 250 kbit/s, best suited for intermittent data transmissions from
a sensor or input device. Applications include wireless light switches, electrical meters
with in-home-displays, traffic management systems, and other consumer and industrial
equipment that requires short-range low-rate wireless data transfer. The technology
defined by the ZigBee specification is intended to be simpler and less expensive than
other wireless personal area networks (WPANs), such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Web: TheSOHOShop.com
The SOHO Shop, LLC Locations
Des Moines, Iowa
10052 Justin Drive, Suite A
Urbandale, Iowa 50322
Phone: (515) 661-5520
Fax: (636) 486-4975
St. Louis, Missouri Area
(Main Office)
3333 Rue Royale, Suite #2
St. Charles, MO 63301
Phone: (636) 442-1616
Toll Free: (866)867-1628
Fax: (636) 352-4570](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/4929b820-04f7-4edd-943a-3000b9693f7e-161121145524/85/Control4-Handout-5-320.jpg)
Control4 Handout
- 1. Welcome to Control4® automation, a smart automation solution for homes and businesses that makes it easy for you to intelligently control every aspect of your home—from TVs to thermostats, door locks to drapes—no matter where you are, using one simple-to-use interface. Control4® solutions make your life more comfortable, more efficient, and more secure. Lighting Control Wireless Dimmer Wireless Switch Wireless Outlet Dimmer/Switch Panelized lighting control Occupancy Motion Sensor motion sensors curtain control Safety & Security Automated Security System Control High Definition Surveillance Keypad Door Locks Garage Door Control Motion Sensors Remote Home Monitoring Listen Whole House Audio Streaming Music IPod Docks ITunes Music Comfort Wireless Thermostats Fireplace Control Motorized Window Treatments Automated Irrigation Control Pool Control Fan Control Watch Video Display Distributed Video Movie Servers The Control4 System
- 2. This solution for home automation is remarkably well designed and works mainly with Control4 devices that use Wi-Fi, Z-Wave or ZigBee communication technology, but you can use other devices that utilize this technology to expand your smart house system. For example, Control4 is compatible with the Nest Learning Thermostat. However, the strictly professional installation Control4 leverages makes it difficult to integrate new devices. Each Control4 system can be customized based on your needs, whether you require whole house audio or a secure network of cameras. The Control4 home automation system is easy to use and offers every type of peripheral that you might want in a smart home system. Control4 suffers from a significant lack of compatibility. The professional installation the company requires makes it difficult to customize and expand your system on your own. Beyond this, the only families of peripherals that are compatible with the controllers in this system are Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, KNX, Z-Wave and ZigBee. You can control any device that is Z-Wave or ZigBee compatible, even for complex operations like interfacing with certain computer applications (like Windows Media Player or iTunes). Lighting Devices Thermostats Media Controller Audio/Visual Distribution Slave HC-300 Controllers Touch Screens & LCD Keypads ZigBee Network Home Network Security Systems Other Audio/Video Components
- 3. 10 TopTen Reviews http://home-automation-systems-review.toptenreviews.com/control4-review.html Pros: Control4 is the easiest to use out of the home automation systems we reviewed. Cons: The requirement for professional installation makes it a little more difficult to expand on your own. The Verdict: 9.7/10 Control4’s ease of use makes it one of the best home automation systems available. ? Help & Support - 8.1 of 10 Compatible Peripherals - 10 of 10 With Control4, you can control every enabled device in your home from a Control4 touchpad, a standard desktop computer, an iPad or a smartphone, as long as you have an internet connection. You can also program certain events to take place automatically through basic triggers and random actions. Functionality - 9.9 of 10 Control4’s total system integration makes it extremely easy to use, and its professional installation only augments this. You can simply tell the installer what you want and they take care of the rest, tying it all in to a centralized control pad as well as a convenient web app. There is nothing complicated about Control4’s smart home system. Summary - 9.7 of 10 Control4 provides one of the most robust and easy-to-use intelligent home systems. Control4 works with Z-Wave and ZigBee home control technologies and is well-equipped for use with the KNX protocol. This system is a great choice if you’re planning to remodel your home and wish to add a powerful home automation system in the process.
- 4. For an all-in-one home automation system, few packages can beat the ease of use that Control4 provides. This total automation system must be installed professionally by an authorized dealer – Control4 provides a list of these dealers on its site – and may not be available in all areas. However, if you are searching for a convenient and functional home automation system, a professionally configured solution from Control4 can help meet your needs with a modern flair. For this reason, Control4 earns our Top Ten Reviews Silver Award for home automation systems. Wi-Fi Wi-Fi (or WiFi) is a local area wireless computer networking technology that allows electronic devices to network, mainly using the 2.4 gigahertz (12 cm) UHF and 5 gigahertz (6 cm) SHF ISM radio bands. The Wi-Fi Alliance defines Wi-Fi as any “wireless local area network” (WLAN) product based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ (IEEE) 802.11 standards”. [1] However, the term “Wi-Fi” is used in general English as a synonym for “WLAN” since most modern WLANs are based on these standards. “Wi-Fi” is a trademark of the Wi- Fi Alliance. The “Wi-Fi Certified” trademark can only be used by Wi-Fi products that successfully complete Wi-Fi Alliance interoperability certification testing. Many devices can use Wi-Fi, e.g. personal computers, video-game consoles, smartphones, digital cameras, tablet computers and digital audio players. These can connect to a network resource such as the Internet via a wireless network access point. Such an access point (or hotspot) has a range of about 20 meters (66 feet) indoors and a greater range outdoors. Hotspot coverage can be as small as a single room with walls that block radio waves, or as large as many square kilometers achieved by using multiple overlapping access points. Depiction of a device sending information wirelessly to another device, both connected to the local network, in order to print a document. Wi-Fi can be less secure than wired connections, such as Ethernet, precisely because an intruder does not need a physical connection. Web pages that use TLS are secure, but unencrypted internet access can easily be detected by intruders. Because of this, Wi-Fi has adopted various encryption technologies. The early encryption WEP proved easy to break. Higher quality protocols (WPA, WPA2) were added later. An optional feature added in 2007, called Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), had a serious flaw that allowed an attacker to recover the router’s password.[2] The Wi-Fi Alliance has since updated its test plan and certification program to ensure all newly certified devices resist attacks. Z-Wave Z-Wave is a wireless communications specification designed to allow devices in the home (lighting, access controls, entertainment systems and household appliances, for example) to communicate with another for the purposes of home automation. Z-Wave technology minimizes power consumption so that it is suitable for battery- operated devices. Z-Wave is designed to provide, reliable, low-latency transmission of small data packets at data rates up to 100kbit/s,[1] unlike Wi-Fi and other IEEE 802.11-based wireless LAN systems that are designed primarily for high data rates. Z-Wave operates in the sub-gigahertz frequency range, around 900 MHz. This band
- 5. competes with some cordless telephones and other consumer electronics devices, but avoids interference with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other systems that operate on the crowded 2.4 GHz band. Z-Wave is designed to be easily embedded in consumer electronics products, including battery operated devices such as remote controls, smoke alarms and security sensors. Z-Wave was developed by a Danish startup called Zen-Sys that was acquired by Sigma Designs in 2008. As of 2015, Z-Wave is supported by over 325 manufacturers worldwide and appears in a broad range of consumer and commercial products in the US, Europe and Asia. The lower layers, MAC and PHY, are described by ITU-T G.9959[2][3] and fully backwards compatible. The Z-Wave transceiver chips are supplied by Sigma Designs and Mitsumi. Some Z-Wave product vendors have open source options for the hobbyist communities. They require users to start with a complete Z-Wave transceiver from a Z-Wave OEM such as an Intermatic USB stick. The xPL project also provides open source support for Z-Wave products,[4] but requires Microsoft Windows.[5] ZigBee ZigBee is a specification for a suite of high-level communication protocols used to create personal area networks built from small, low-power digital radios. ZigBee is based on an IEEE 802.15.4 standard. Its low power consumption limits transmission distances to 10–100 meters line-of-sight, depending on power output and environmental characteristics,[1] ZigBee devices can transmit data over long distances by passing data through a mesh network of intermediate devices to reach more distant ones. ZigBee is typically used in low data rate applications that require long battery life and secure networking (ZigBee networks are secured by 128 bit symmetric encryption keys.) ZigBee has a defined rate of 250 kbit/s, best suited for intermittent data transmissions from a sensor or input device. Applications include wireless light switches, electrical meters with in-home-displays, traffic management systems, and other consumer and industrial equipment that requires short-range low-rate wireless data transfer. The technology defined by the ZigBee specification is intended to be simpler and less expensive than other wireless personal area networks (WPANs), such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Web: TheSOHOShop.com The SOHO Shop, LLC Locations Des Moines, Iowa 10052 Justin Drive, Suite A Urbandale, Iowa 50322 Phone: (515) 661-5520 Fax: (636) 486-4975 St. Louis, Missouri Area (Main Office) 3333 Rue Royale, Suite #2 St. Charles, MO 63301 Phone: (636) 442-1616 Toll Free: (866)867-1628 Fax: (636) 352-4570