We really love when our favorite gadgets come together and today Embedded Automation posted a new plug-in (beta) that allows mControl to have two-way control of
Vista Media Center and its Extenders. mControl is Windows software that will link together all your connected devices like say your lights, security system, thermostats, IP WiFi cameras, all your HT gear -- via IR or RS-232 -- and now Vista Media Center. If your imagination hasn't already starting running wild think about this; someone rings your doorbell,
Battlestar Galactica pauses and a message box pops up on your HDTV, so you click the remote and now your viewing your front door camera. Until recently you had to be Bill Gates to have this kind'a stuff at your house, but thanks to companies like mControl, it's a reality even if you're on a budget. Another picture after the jump.
DIY, 
posted May 9th 2008 6:07PM
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that's some fancy tech there. If only I had the budget (and house, lol) to do that.
This is the same thing as Exceptional Innovation's Life|ware. Just a notch below that's all. From what I've seen on the specs, this solution doesn't offer two-way communication for advanced devices (in addition their partners list seems to be lacking) or look as nice as Life|ware either. Like I said it seems to be just a notch below, but if you want to do home automation right I would suggest Life|ware.
You make some good points, but you're comparing $600 software to $75 software, and Life|Ware doesn't support Elk alarms.
lifeware is a hell of a lot more than 600 bucks.... their systems start at 10 grand. you can do a mcontrol system for as little as 100 bucks.
ive been doing alot of research recently on mcontrol.... still trying to decide to go zwave or insteon.
Where can I get Lifeware for $600? I bought the earlier version through Bestbuy and they don't support it anymore. I have a lame duck system. I'd love to update to 2.03 but when I call them, they want to do all the programming.