Here, we’ve listed more than 60 developers of home automation systems. Some have been around for a long time; others, like the PC and Media Center-based solutions, are relative newcomers.

Some “systems” can be downloaded for as little as $39 (or free, in the case of Pluto). Others cost $40,000 or more just to get started. Some are available to every do-it-yourself enhusiast; others are sold only to authorized dealers who are trained and committed.

In this list, we include vendors who offer lighting control systems (they do, of course, control other devices as well) and wholehouse solutions that operate at least three subsystems.

Hopefully, CE pros who have been married to a single system all of these years will discover some new solutions in this guide. And for newbies entering the business from security, electrical contracting, IT and other disciplines, there’s plenty to choose from.