X10 Community Forum
📝Reviews => X10 Software Reviews => ActiveHome Pro Reviews => Topic started by: David Mark on December 20, 2006, 09:40:41 PM
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And when you get to the end of this and already own a CM15a, you can add it to the system as a toy camera controller (about the only added value.)
- 1.) Use scene-enabled modules. Smarthome's work well. PCS Scenemasters are okay, but have no status reporting (odd for an $80 light switch!) The "dummy module" convention I see mentioned here to work around AHP's limitations is where the scene goes. AHP just reacts to the scene to control appliances that are not scene-enabled. No dummies needed. If you are going to abstract your automated home in software, you want it to make sense at a glance.
- 2.) Keypads are great scene controllers. Smarthome Keypadlinc is one, Leviton makes one too. Very comforting to know that when the @$#! CM15a takes a powder, you can still control your lights from a wallswitch.
- 3.) Get a WGL PC receiver (w800RF.) They receive everything (camera remotes, security devices, etc.) Who needs plugins? What software to use? I would say Misterhouse, but there are problems with their w800RF module (big shock.) I will straighten them out on that in the near future. For those that don't know, MH is free aggravation, as opposed to AHP's $50 a pop aggravation. If you have used MH in the past, give it another try as I did manage to fix a lot of it last Spring. The Pro version is coming this Spring...
- 4.) Get a wall-mounted timer for security lights. Even a table-top model. You don't need this ridiculous software to turn lights on and off at a set interval (with security delays, etc.)
- 5.) Dusk to dawn timers for outdoor lights? This is the biggest no-brainer of them all: use light fixtures with built-in sensors. When trying to synchronize with sunlight, you just can't beat actual sunlight as an indicator.
- 6.) Thermostats, temperature sensors, weather, news, alarm systems, alphanumeric displays, MP3 players, etc. are all do-able with Misterhouse. No expensive plugins needed. Contrast that with AHP, where a "Windows command" is one quoted string without arguments. You know you are off in the weeds when you have to create a BAT file for every sound effect. Certainly MH can speak and play sounds all day long (any decent Windows app can these days!) Matter of fact, I recently added file-based event sounds w/ schemes for different holidays. Try that with batch files.
- 7.) Webcams work much better than those ridiculous wireless cameras. They can all be on at once and taking a snapshot is the same as downloading an image from a Web site. Contrast that with using the AHP plugin. It is fifty bucks for a WAV file and camera flash animation (which twitches on and off repeatedly whenever the video plugin is recording.) And as I mentioned in a previous post, it screws up the already shaky AHP application. It takes two lines of PERL code in MH to snap a picture and play the related event sound. I'll add a camera flash animation to the status bar, but it will only go off once for each picture taken!
- 8.) Use your alarm as a controller if you have one that sends X10 signals. My alarm can be programmed to send certain X10 codes on arm home/arm away/disarm, etc. As you might guess, the first two are scene aliases (home and away.) So I can just use my alarm keyfob on the way out the door, sixty seconds later the house sets the away scene (AHP is not involved with that.) If AHP is actually conscious at the time, a macro is triggered by the scene (AKA dummy module) to turn off a few outlets (scene-enabled outlets would be nice.) The disarm code unlatches the inside garage door momentarily so that I don't have to fumble around for my badge. Once again, no software or controller (other than the alarm itself) is involved.
There are lots of other things you can do without help from AHP. Your best bet is to find as many as you can before opening the carton with the CM15a (and know going in that the wall wart is just a toy camera controller.) Speaking of the Ninjas, unless the latest and greatest CM15a that they are sending me does a better job of retaining its macros and timers, I will be controlling the garage camera with software (and not AHP!) You cannot control the Ninjas with the current incarnation of Misterhouse, but you can with the upcoming MH Pro. Where does that leave AHP? Nowhere.
[TTA Edit: Formatted for improved readability.]
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Sorry, David.
The CM15A is Only available with AHP. X10 will not sell it by itself.
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The CM15A is Only available with AHP. X10 will not sell it by itself.
Yes, but...
X-10 often offers combo deals. Sometimes it's the CM15A and AHP with a bunch of AHP plugins. Other times it's the CM15A, the basic AHP, and a bunch of modules. The prices are often the same.
If there's no intention of using AHP, the best bet is to look for a deal with modules instead of plugins.
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Dan,
Don't apologize. I already have two.
The basic idea is to buy the controller, install the software, download your timers and macros and close the software forever. Did I not make myself clear? That is the magic formula. Then you run my software (or the free MH for the moment) and you have a much smarter house. Trust me!
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Dan,
Don't apologize. I already have two.
The basic idea is to buy the controller, install the software, download your timers and macros and close the software forever. Did I not make myself clear? That is the magic formula. Then you run my software (or the free MH for the moment) and you have a much smarter house. Trust me!
if this is what your suposed to do with AHP then they really missed the mark
in order for me to have a chance of working right i have to run it from the pc this as was told earler is a known problem .
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if this is what your suposed to do with AHP then they really missed the mark
I think David Mark was actually referring to the CM11A. That was an old post from 2006. I don't think AHP was quickly adapted by everyone. And many people are very resistant to the idea of using a PC in the Home Automation setup. It must be an "old school" thing or something.
There are no "standards" for Home Automation! If you have a clapper on a bedroom light... you have Home Automation. So you don't NEED a computer, or a CM15A, or software, or even X10 [or other PLC devices].
I am sorta addicted to Automation myself... I really enjoy it. HA for me is more than fun or a hobby... its a lifestyle. I wouldn't be the person to decide what HA should be.
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I like running the PC it dosn't have a keyboard or monitor I just use RDC to hook up and make changes that way it doesn't take up a PC And since I'm Always going in to fine tune it this just was the best way better if there was web interface but this works and I have total control over it from the world. I have the myhome plugin but it would be better to connect direct to the device rathen then their web site just one more place to fail.
What we have here is a heathkit HA system for those old enough to remember.
they will need to make it more compatible with other hardware if they want to keep selling software. I could see a device that run AHP just plug a cord in and external antenna look much like home router the x10 signals can be sent down the power cord. RF will go right to the box basicaly a PC with a CM** device in the same box be more then 49 bucks.
This would solve the PC issues some have. I already have the basic design in my head I can see it. I may do one for my self.
wouldn't hard there is enough space in the tower for the cm15a mount inside. extend the attena connection to a connector on box as done here already in one form or another. if nothing else I will have a all in one unit that can be taken anywhere just plug it in and turn it on.
Well I guess I will start collecting the parts I'll need it will make it easier for me to sell and install systems.
now I thinking
Alex
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I like running the PC it dosn't have a keyboard or monitor.....
Yeah I have a PC setup in the corner of my basement office, it runs 24/7 and has for a couple years now. I keep the monitor turned off... but everthing stays connected even though I rarely go near the HA PC.
I think the tiny [yet powerful] little netbooks that run on as little as 15 watts may be the [near] future for HA. I have also seen wifi enabled digital picture frames... that display pictures accessed from network hard-drives or connected PC's. I think there may be some great yet-to-be-exploited potential there.
And... of course.. I am a big fan of BVC (http://www.davesdomainonline.com/bvc/bvc.htm). And as much futurist stuff that BVC (http://www.davesdomainonline.com/bvc/bvc.htm) does for me... Bill just keeps making it better all the time.
But to stay ture with the threads topic.... I actually could do all this using the AHP software and the CM19A.
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Does the CM19A have a bigger processor and more memory otherwise it will be prone the same failer.
on Another i did see some of those all in one boxes Almost, still needed their version of CM
I collected my parts.
I'm going to add a wifi card to make it more mobile. for the time being I'll duck tape the15A to the side.
this will show how it works.
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Does the CM19A have a bigger processor and more memory otherwise it will be prone the same failer.
The CM19A has no memory or processor. It is a mouse sized/shaped device that allows your AHP computer send/receive X10 RF signals. I am not recommending it over the CM15A... I just mentioned it could replace it.
As I mentioned earlier... this was/is an OLD thread. The CM15A was not quickly excepted (even by me). But I do think that AHP and the CM15A is the way to go.
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I have a loy more learning but it sounds like the 19 is more interface them CM which would make it better for my project being smaller.
can we still get one of these from X10?
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I have a loy more learning but it sounds like the 19 is more interface them CM which would make it better for my project being smaller.
can we still get one of these from X10?
The CM15A is the route to take unless you want both because thats what will happen if you start with the CM19A!
The CM19A requires the PC to be on 24/7 the CM15A doesn't ::) :'
>!
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For me the pc is a requirement anyway I actually have a hard time thinking not running it.
So just to be sure I got this right.
The CM15A was to run in a stand alone config the CM19A is just an interface it needs the AHP to run. So for me wanting to run from the pc the 19 would be better and I don't need a 15.
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The CM15A was to run in a stand alone config the CM19A is just an interface it needs the AHP to run. So for me wanting to run from the pc the 19 would be better and I don't need a 15.
No. Ether can run with the PC... however the CM15A is superior to the CM19A... and can also run stand alone.
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CM19A will not run with AHP It will however run with any software created using the SDK!
The CM19A has no internal memory.
It has no PLC receive capability (a big limitation)
It requires a transceiver to work except for moving Pan & Tilts or anything with a RF receiver built in.
CM15A runs either Connected or not to the PC
It has internal memory So if you have a PC crash it still works
It has PLC receive and transmite
It has RF receive and transmite (No additional transceiver required in most cases)
The CM15A uses the AHP software. But only needs it for uploading info to it's memory
The CM15A works with the SDK and Almost any software X10 has
Sounds like I'm pushing the CM15A but in the end it is up to you! I just don't want you to be disappointed!
>!
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Thanx guy's
i still have far to go.
When I looked at 19 i was wondering how the X10 was trancieved.
i will never set mine to run without PC except for basic on off incase the pc goes down. So for that the 15a will do and it is small enough.
I'll get two more of 15's tear one apart for my project make it easier to mount inside the case.
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Thanx guy's
i still have far to go.
When I looked at 19 i was wondering how the X10 was trancieved.
i will never set mine to run without PC except for basic on off incase the pc goes down. So for that the 15a will do and it is small enough.
I'll get two more of 15's tear one apart for my project make it easier to mount inside the case.
Why would you want to mount it inside the computer case? RF receiving and transmission probably won't work due to the shielding of the case, and the line filtering of the computer power supply is likely to severely attenuate the X10 powerline signals.
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I'm trying to make all in one type thing it will have external connection for RF sheilding and PL filtering. will need to look at it.
Right I've duck taped my 15 to side of my AHP pc. Run one power cord it has a wifi card so for now I just have on a high book shelf.
I have the perfic little platform a mini dell with enough space (just) full sound all usb p4 1.8 120 gb drive and a gb ram should be enough to run it. My gole is to build these for clients who want home automation. that once setup if needed I can remote into them add devices change programing macros and such. this makes it a great addon for my network clients.
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shouldn't be too hard with the external antenna and the power will go the 15 board first should help with pl interference. but it's not problem with test unit. and with being high up the RF range has also dramaticialy been increased.
hey it may not Although there is no reason it will not.
Alex
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And when you get to the end of this and already own a CM15a, you can add it to the system as a toy camera controller (about the only added value.)
- 1.) Use scene-enabled modules. Smarthome's work well. PCS Scenemasters are okay, but have no status reporting (odd for an $80 light switch!) The "dummy module" convention I see mentioned here to work around AHP's limitations is where the scene goes. AHP just reacts to the scene to control appliances that are not scene-enabled. No dummies needed. If you are going to abstract your automated home in software, you want it to make sense at a glance.
- 2.) Keypads are great scene controllers. Smarthome Keypadlinc is one, Leviton makes one too. Very comforting to know that when the @$#! CM15a takes a powder, you can still control your lights from a wallswitch.
- 3.) Get a WGL PC receiver (w800RF.) They receive everything (camera remotes, security devices, etc.) Who needs plugins? What software to use? I would say Misterhouse, but there are problems with their w800RF module (big shock.) I will straighten them out on that in the near future. For those that don't know, MH is free aggravation, as opposed to AHP's $50 a pop aggravation. If you have used MH in the past, give it another try as I did manage to fix a lot of it last Spring. The Pro version is coming this Spring...
- 4.) Get a wall-mounted timer for security lights. Even a table-top model. You don't need this ridiculous software to turn lights on and off at a set interval (with security delays, etc.)
- 5.) Dusk to dawn timers for outdoor lights? This is the biggest no-brainer of them all: use light fixtures with built-in sensors. When trying to synchronize with sunlight, you just can't beat actual sunlight as an indicator.
- 6.) Thermostats, temperature sensors, weather, news, alarm systems, alphanumeric displays, MP3 players, etc. are all do-able with Misterhouse. No expensive plugins needed. Contrast that with AHP, where a "Windows command" is one quoted string without arguments. You know you are off in the weeds when you have to create a BAT file for every sound effect. Certainly MH can speak and play sounds all day long (any decent Windows app can these days!) Matter of fact, I recently added file-based event sounds w/ schemes for different holidays. Try that with batch files.
- 7.) Webcams work much better than those ridiculous wireless cameras. They can all be on at once and taking a snapshot is the same as downloading an image from a Web site. Contrast that with using the AHP plugin. It is fifty bucks for a WAV file and camera flash animation (which twitches on and off repeatedly whenever the video plugin is recording.) And as I mentioned in a previous post, it screws up the already shaky AHP application. It takes two lines of PERL code in MH to snap a picture and play the related event sound. I'll add a camera flash animation to the status bar, but it will only go off once for each picture taken!
- 8.) Use your alarm as a controller if you have one that sends X10 signals. My alarm can be programmed to send certain X10 codes on arm home/arm away/disarm, etc. As you might guess, the first two are scene aliases (home and away.) So I can just use my alarm keyfob on the way out the door, sixty seconds later the house sets the away scene (AHP is not involved with that.) If AHP is actually conscious at the time, a macro is triggered by the scene (AKA dummy module) to turn off a few outlets (scene-enabled outlets would be nice.) The disarm code unlatches the inside garage door momentarily so that I don't have to fumble around for my badge. Once again, no software or controller (other than the alarm itself) is involved.
There are lots of other things you can do without help from AHP. Your best bet is to find as many as you can before opening the carton with the CM15a (and know going in that the wall wart is just a toy camera controller.) Speaking of the Ninjas, unless the latest and greatest CM15a that they are sending me does a better job of retaining its macros and timers, I will be controlling the garage camera with software (and not AHP!) You cannot control the Ninjas with the current incarnation of Misterhouse, but you can with the upcoming MH Pro. Where does that leave AHP? Nowhere.
[TTA Edit: Formatted for improved readability.]
Very informative post, thanks
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Ya Give that mister house one a try, that software will really give you somthing to tinker with. I guess I'm no good at this stuff.
I had to stick to AHP as MH wouldn't see my CM15A as far adding moduals looks alot more involved.
It has some great features The reason I tried it but it was too complicated for me a very newbe. So I just left it, it is still installed.
There are Lot's choices for HA every one of them has good and bad associated with them Even AHP.
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Mister House won't work with the CM15A, only the CM11A.
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interesting since it is listed on the list for them.
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I just went back to the MisterHouse site and the CM15A IS NOT LISTED as compatible, only the CM17.
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Don't know where you went but from the main site go to wiki
then interfaces, down near the bottom you will find CM15A RIGHT BELOW CM11A and Above the 17a
Alex
Doesn't matter though since it looks way to involved for me.
Since were mentioning other products I have loaded up HomeSeer looks good so far VERY PRICEY But you get what you pay for
looks like it work with my ip camera's but it will work with larger verity of devices, they allready have purpose built box.
X10 this is where AHP should be. Should note though they say you must run the PC.
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Dosn't matter though since it looks way to involved for me
Yeah but there are others who really like MisterHouse... and have had to choose between software or interface. I think Dan Lawrence is concerned about having reliable, searchable information for everyone who visits here.
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Sorry guy's
I just re read this and realized I hyjacked it. :-[