Smart Homes for Dummies (Paperback)

by Danny Briere (Author), Patrick Hurley (Author) "If you stop the average person on the street and start talking about home networks, he or she would probably make references to ABC, CBS,..." (more)
Key Phrases: home data network, video source devices, home phone network, Radio Shack, Electronic House, Star Trek (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
...Smart Homes is more than simply accurate, it is truly useful, with an abundance of call-out tips ("The National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association...offers advice on how to shop for a security system and the names of contractors who have qualified for their 'Installation Quality' certificate."); warnings ("If your modem connects to your computer with an Ethernet interface...you actually need to install two separate Ethernet Network Interface Cards in your proxy server..."); and sound opinions ("You can build a very similar video distribution network that forgoes the second RG6 cable to each outlet....[but] at the risk of being repetitive, we think that this kind of abbreviated network is probably a false economy..."). The best thing about Smart Homes for Dummies--it's a wonderful guide for smart people, too. -- Home Network News, Sept/Oct. 1999, Vol. 13 No. 8

Who needs this book? Anyone considering installing their own home security system, whole-house audio or video system, household LAN, or even those that want a professional to do it. It gives you a good idea about what's going on, as well as meaning to those funny buzzwords that home contractors use. It's also useful for those who are interested in getting the most out of their home office or existing automation equipment. Finally, professionals who have most of their expertise in one discipline may find this helpful to learn the basics of the rest of what's out there.

Highlights: Easy to understand; broad overview of home automation; gives good descriptions of what's currently available and what to expect in the future; great idea source. -- Edward B. Driscoll, Jr., Popular Home Automation, 2/18/2000

Product Description
Welcome to the new millennium and the next step in home technology. Replace your telephone with a computer. Power up your burglar alarm from a PC that's miles away. Turn lights on and off with a click of your mouse, or plan and build your meals without stepping into the kitchen (well, almostÖthere's still dishes to do).

In short, discover how to network your entire home and remote control everything with the smart home" technology that's available today. Smart Homes For Dummies guides you step-by-step through everything you need to know about automating your home, from advanced security to home theater entertainment centers. Find out what it takes to turn your home into a state-of-the-art entertainment and communications center, and discover the benefits of home networking, from Internet access in every room to monitoring the baby from your living room TV.

Decide what to buy -- and what to avoid -- in the absence of universal standards for "smart homes," and get the lowdown on competing home systems from X-10 and IBM Home Director to CEBUS and Intellon. Explore a wonderful wide world of wireless products, and secure and protect your investment with an integrated security system. Build the home of the future today with the smart advice you find in Smart Homes For Dummies.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies (June 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764505270
• ISBN-13: 978-0764505270
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,070,318 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Second Edition -- Worth the wait, January 14, 2003

By	Michael S. Toot (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Smart Homes for Dummies, Second Edition (Paperback)

What a difference four years makes.

In the first edition (1999), Briere and Hurley did a great job providing an informative, helpful overview of home automation concepts, all wrapped up in an easy-to-read style that doesn't talk down to a reader. However, people purchasing the book in 2001 or later would be disappointed as the book showed its age: maybe half the links for automation-related companies yielded the dreaded "404" error (many courtesy the dot-com crash), wireless networking was barely mentioned, and cable modems and DSL hadn't reached critical mass to warrant an extended discussion.

Fast forward to the second edition (2003) and these shortcomings have all been addressed. New URLs are in place, the authors love wireless, and high-speed Internet connections are addressed for both cable modems and DSL modems. In addition, DBS is also discussed in much greater depth as DirecTV and DISH Network receivers have sprouted like mushrooms on homes and apartment buildings across the U.S.

I found the second edition extremely helpful, more so than the first, and it gave me a far better comfort level in figuring out smart home technology. My wife and I are currently remodeling and this book is a huge help to let us know what's possible, what's affordable, and what's do-able by us versus a professional installer.

While the book appears to be more focused on running hard wires for your network, don't let that fool you. The authors are firmly in favor of wireless for many homes and apartments, especially where cost or inability to renovate prevents running hard wiring through the walls. The main idea is that, when possible, put as many wires into the walls as you can. You don't have to connect every home computer directly to a wall; you can install a wireless hub wherever it's convenient (or invisible), and use wireless connections without having CAT5e cabling running along the baseboards to the nearest wall jack.

Further, there are new systems on the market that use CAT5e to distribute audio, video, and IR control to rooms. This means you can run thinner, cheaper CAT5e to rooms rather than bundled cabling. The authors recognize this trend and advise that readers watch for more developments that use CAT5e. My wife and I are leaning towards such a system, as it's easier to replace outlets and distribution boxes than it is to run new wires once the walls are sealed up.

So if you're wondering about having a connected home and what the considerations are, you owe it to yourself to BUY THIS BOOK. Then you can move to a wires-and-circuits discussion without feeling over your head, and without requiring a graduate degree in nerdspeak. Enjoy, and good luck with your own home projects.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brier and Hurley Get Wired!, December 24, 1999

By	Heather L. Read (USA) - See all my reviews

If you work in a multimedia company or a high tech multimedia laboratory, you probably have a systems administrator and lots of eager students of engineering that can help you design a media and data network infrastructure. However, most of us users who would like to design a network for security, multimedia and computing in a home or small business do not have a systems administrator. Brier and Hurley give an enlightened short course on media, data and electrical networking of your home and small business in Smart Homes for Dummies.

The big vision outlined in this book is simplicity afforded by thinking ahead. Save money and space by designing a network which accesses one main computer server; one digital TV; one VCR; one CD player; one radio; one internet or cable service line for multiple users within the home or business. All these media sources are routed via cables, modulators, preamplifiers and switch panels to each room so that users can choose what they want to play on their computer, speakers and video screens. They inform the reader about 'multi-zone' or multiple channel receiving and transmitting devices needed to to push your wired house to full capacity now and in the future. Costs, esthetics, and how to anticipate future technologies are considered. This book is a pleasant read and a fast way to get up to speed on how to 'Get to Wired'. Think of it like an adventure tour of networking wonderland by Bill and Ted. At the same time this is a most excellent (easy to use) source of reference tables for those of us who prefer to bypass the 'Bill sheet' and get something done.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars If you are seeking DIY instructions- pass on this one, July 30, 2003

By	Manning (IN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Smart Homes for Dummies, Second Edition (Paperback)

As the title implies, this book is intended for people seeking an overview of what home automation, networking, X10, security, a/v distibution. It is very comprehensive so kudos there.

However, if you are after more detailed instructions on how to hook something up, really plan & design your systems or prewire you new construction this book does not get that deep.

I suppose was hoping for more real examples, diagrams and do it yourself instruction. I'm trying to learn in order to avoid paying someone $2000 to install $200 worth of wire and outlets in my house (especially regarding X10 which is really cool). So I returned this book and am consdiering one called "Automated Home Control" by Bucceri. Haven't found it on Amazon yet, but it's on homcontrols.com and smarthomeusa.com