X10 Community Forum

🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Topic started by: mavento18 on February 19, 2007, 01:21:14 PM

Title: Noob Needs help with scene lighting
Post by: mavento18 on February 19, 2007, 01:21:14 PM
Hello and thanks in advance for your help.

I purchased the following bundle:

ActiveHome Pro Home Automation Starter Kit with USB Computer Interface, Cable and Software plus myHouse Online, iWatchOut, OnAlert and Smart Macros Software Modules plus 2-Way Appliance Module, 1 Door/Window Sensor and Security Decal CM15A-ED-FREESUITE-ONALERT-0108 $49.99 $49.99
1 4-Pack Dimmable Wall Switches - Buy 3, Get 1 FREE! WS467-ED-4PK-4F3

I have a Harmony 880 remote and will also have a PC in the room I need the scene lighting for. In the room, I want to have two dimmers. One dimmer will control the front 6 sconces, and another that will control the back 4 sconces. Basically, when my projector turns on, I want the front 6 to turn off and the back 4 to dim. What is the best way to set this up? Do I need an x10 controller to help program my Harmony 880? Any extra things I may need? I was also thinking of using the door sensor to automatically turn on both dimmers on the room when the door is opened. What would be the best way to turn off the lights if I do use the sensor? Meaning if someone opens the door to the theatre room, then closes it, how can I make sure the lights don't stay on for no reason?

Thanks again
Title: Re: Noob Needs help with scene lighting
Post by: HA Dave on February 19, 2007, 07:17:03 PM
I have done something very similar with my Home Theater (click here to see). (http://davesdomainonline.com/ht/ht.htm)

I used the Harmony (logitech) 628 ..... an older model than yours... but I think they program the same. Mine programed over the Internet and saved to the remote via USB. The Harmony Web Site had the X10 lighting codes (though I did have a hard time finding them). I may have even called Harmony support.

Just having the X10 IR codes won't be enough. You will need a way to change those IR commands to X10 line signals I used the Infrared Mini Controller   (http://www.x10.com/automation/ir543_s.html) (IR543).

I included the lights off/down command in the "watch a movie button" and a different low-lighting set-up in the "off" button commands (when the movie ends).

I have more lights in the theater than I would ever use for anything other than cleaning up popcorn. So I have a "theater lighting set-up" that I use as a "starting point" before viewing a movie. I have recently been using AHP and BXVC (Bill's X10 Voice Commander) (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=9918.0) to execute the setup. I simply say "Theater on computer" and the proper (predetermined) lighting comes on.

BXVC (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=9918.0) has been the biggest wow factor of the whole theater.

If I did it over again.... I would have made the drapes on ether side of the screen X10 motorized. (http://www.smarthome.com/3142.html)
Title: Re: Noob Needs help with scene lighting
Post by: mavento18 on February 19, 2007, 10:11:58 PM
thanks dave... Will I be able to control two dimmers in the same room(dim one and turn off another?)
Title: Re: Noob Needs help with scene lighting
Post by: HA Dave on February 19, 2007, 10:16:50 PM
thanks dave... Will I be able to control two dimmers in the same room(dim one and turn off another?)

I manage 9 units altogether. 2 apliance modules, 2 lamp modules, 5 wall switches.