Media for Hi- what is considered the standard quality home controller of choice? JDS Stargate or other?

Hi- what is considered the standard quality home controller of choice? JDS Stargate or other?

I'm about to move to a wreck of a place - it's going to need electrics rewiring and plastering. I'd like to create a versatile infrastructure capable of fitting in with some form of a home automation system.

I'm currently thinking of running a couple of cat5 cables to each room as well as the new electrics. Also at least stereo input feed to each room and one mic feed from each room to a central controller - have heard about the JDS Stargate system. something like that.

Maybe there are better systems around now... I want to eventually have a system of at least X10, maybe one of the more proprietary systems around. I want to be able to automate a lot of functions in my home. I would like to have thumbprint biometrics and role-based access and voice control to the various functions of my home.

What would people here recommend as the best current 'controller' for a home automated house that I'd like to have?

And what would anyone here suggest to me in terms of cable/conduit laying, general design and which system to go for?

Also what sort of budget would I be looking at? I used to be network support, and would be more than happy to buy a crimper and make my own sockets to save on costs.

Can anyone recommend any good sites describing how best to wire for a home automation system I would like?

thanks