My wife and I are in the beginning phases of building a new house. I want to
automate the house. At minimum I want to be able to control all the
heating, cooling and lighting functions from a computer and touch panels
around the house. Ideally I would also like to be able to have control thru
the internet when we are away from the house. Features I would also like to
have are: wiring for security cameras (inside and out), the ability to turn
on lights in the house when driving up, every room in the house will have
speakers so I want an audio/video distribution system, since the rear of the
house will have a good view and will have lots of windows I would like to
have electronic control of the blinds up and down. there are other things I
am sure but can't think of them right now.

it's all possible...

Wow...can you say sweet house?:buttrock
Sounds like you know what you want.
Shit, sounds like it will be a nice place.
Good luck with that man.

My wife and I are in the beginning phases of building a new house. I want to
automate the house. At minimum I want to be able to control all the
heating, cooling and lighting functions from a computer and touch panels
around the house. Ideally I would also like to be able to have control thru
the internet when we are away from the house. Features I would also like to
have are: wiring for security cameras (inside and out), the ability to turn
on lights in the house when driving up, every room in the house will have
speakers so I want an audio/video distribution system, since the rear of the
house will have a good view and will have lots of windows I would like to
have electronic control of the blinds up and down. there are other things I
am sure but can't think of them right now.

I have done everything mentioned above in my previous home and for various friends in St. Louis and Dallas. If you would like some recommendations, please feel free to send me a PM.

-bj

Wow...can you say sweet house?:buttrock
Sounds like you know what you want.
Shit, sounds like it will be a nice place.
Good luck with that man.

You should see the garage I have in mind (a detached one, not the 2 cars attached to the house). :buttrock

My house is wired for all of that crap (audio, video, multiple cable/phone/satilite etc.) The only thing that I use is the internet router that goes into every room and some of the audio stuff. The video in the front and the back of the house are just base plates. The AC system is also plug and play for automation. but Im not really into all that. There is a mailorder place that does all of that stuff but I forget the name. I friend of mine has his house all done up if you want I can call him.