This problem space was very different in 2013 vs now in 2016 going on 2017.
Today, all the things he's talking about can be covered in a consumer system plus iOS or Android app.
My recommendation is to start with Lutron Caseta switches for lights which look and behave precisely like traditional switches with all the traditional benefits, but are also readily integrated into a smart home set up. You can use it all either way, and both ways are fine: Luddite friendly.
For the primary media room I'd use Logitech Harmony Smart Home Hub and remote[1]. After a decade of fooling with dynamic remotes, these days I prefer the one without a screen because visitors "get" the traditional icon buttons.
Then, depending on your choice of mobile device, I'd build out multi room audio and multi TV video using Airplay for an iOS household or Chromecast for an Android household. This way the playback point is visible to the mobile OS and available across apps.
I'd add Echo Dots for room by room voice control if interested, because Alexa pays attention all the time while Siri may need to be poked before listening, and it's good at discovering all these smart home control systems.
The cost delta from good Lutron dimmer switches to the Caseta line is small. The cost delta from a good universal remote to the buttons-only Harmony is almost nil. The cost of Chromecast or Apple TVs per video or audio playback point is reasonable, as is the cost of Echo Dot per room.
None of this approach involves a lock in to a service contract with some home automation company where even their control panels cost more than iPad Pros, can't do anything else, and are obsolete and unpatched a couple years later.
Today, all the things he's talking about can be covered in a consumer system plus iOS or Android app.
My recommendation is to start with Lutron Caseta switches for lights which look and behave precisely like traditional switches with all the traditional benefits, but are also readily integrated into a smart home set up. You can use it all either way, and both ways are fine: Luddite friendly.
For the primary media room I'd use Logitech Harmony Smart Home Hub and remote[1]. After a decade of fooling with dynamic remotes, these days I prefer the one without a screen because visitors "get" the traditional icon buttons.
Then, depending on your choice of mobile device, I'd build out multi room audio and multi TV video using Airplay for an iOS household or Chromecast for an Android household. This way the playback point is visible to the mobile OS and available across apps.
I'd add Echo Dots for room by room voice control if interested, because Alexa pays attention all the time while Siri may need to be poked before listening, and it's good at discovering all these smart home control systems.
The cost delta from good Lutron dimmer switches to the Caseta line is small. The cost delta from a good universal remote to the buttons-only Harmony is almost nil. The cost of Chromecast or Apple TVs per video or audio playback point is reasonable, as is the cost of Echo Dot per room.
None of this approach involves a lock in to a service contract with some home automation company where even their control panels cost more than iPad Pros, can't do anything else, and are obsolete and unpatched a couple years later.
1. For primary media room: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JHQZSHW/
2. Lutron Caseta starter with the right smart home bridge/hub: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LWX1PFW