X10 Community Forum
💬General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: astrothug on February 08, 2009, 01:15:44 PM
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Hi All how are you all what a fine site you have hear, i spent about 5 hrs before joining reading all the post in the forum!!
I have a few questions regarding the x10 hardware and software.
I would like to set up a basic Home Automation, a few cameras, and a security system. I live in a 2 bedroom basement sweet. It has two doors one out the back and one out the front. bedrooms have glass sliding panes. my house has 5 computers a switch and a wireless linksys n router. presently I'm using webcam xp 5 as a basic video surveillance system. One cam on the baby crib and the other cam in kid bedroom.
1. would you recommend them X10?
2. what about all the complaints on the site ? (stupid people or is more then that?)
3. what would you recommend to me?
Thanks
David
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Welcome to the forum astrothug
Nice to see you've been doing some reading!
here are the answers:
1: Most of the regulars will recommend X10 you just can't beat the price! No homeautomation is plug & play no mater what the web site states!
But since you've been reading you most likely know the common issues and how to fix!
2: Most people complain first. It is human nature. It isn't stupid people, maybe it is just doing stupid things (even I'm guilty of that)! ::) :'
After all how many people actually read manuals until something goes wrong? Probably less then read them at all!
3: Most if not all here will recommend getting the ActiveHome Pro suit (all Plug-in bundle) you may not need it all but to get part afterwards will make you kick yourself! rofl
You don't need to get the DS7000 security console if you have Onalert (plug-in for AHP included in the bundle I mentioned) and keep a PC on 24/7. But it adds some extra stuff!
You will want some door window sensors some and appliance modules!
You'll need the VA11A or VA12A video adaptor to view cameras in AHP!
Once you have that you'll want to look at some third party software to do things AHP can't like play sounds, responded to Voice recognition, get weather or other stuff.
>!
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well thank you Tuicemen for the kind words and recommendations, I have to say Dave_x10_L has a great site with alot of info, what he has done is what I would like to do!! -:).
are there others hear who have webpages that show off what they have done.
again thanks and please I would love to hear from others too...
David #:)
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I'm sure others will chime in with their thoughts and maybe some links! ;)
I know there are others with web pages showing off what they do with x10 and even programs they have created to do tasks AHP can't!
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..... I have to say Dave_x10_L has a great site with alot of info, what he has done is what I would like to do!!
Hey thanks!!! It's always nice to get noticed. I don't I have an exceptional X10 setup... I just promote BVC (http://www.davesdomainonline.com/bvc/bvc.htm) and X10 more than the average user.
When I built our Home Theater (http://davesdomainonline.com/ht/ht.htm)... I thought if I automated the lighting I could get some Wow-factor and yet save money by not buying an electric (motorized) screen. That is all it took to get me addicted to automation. For me... BVC (http://www.davesdomainonline.com/bvc/bvc.htm) is intervienious automation (but don't worry I have it under control). Users like Bill and Tuicemen (and others) have contributed much to the HA community with the programs they write. I try to give back a little... the only way I can.
I just updated my X10 related Web Pages and YouTube Channel (http://www.youtube.com/suitmanIM) today... it's sorta a hobby.
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No.
And while you would have to run the gauntlet to get at our lamp and appliance controllers and need to rip my ICON remote from my cold dead fingers to get it, I would not recommend this to anyone because most people expect stuff like this to work all the time like washers, dryers and the garage door and I do enough emotional support as a computer support guy by day.
When x10 stuff does not work it is rarely the fault of the x10 hardware but the environment in which it operates. Kinda like raising a family, I'll handle my own thanks.
When it works it's very good but when it fails it's very bad.
>!
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Tuicemen great site just checked it out, nice too see a fellow Canadian..hehe, Dave_x10_L you are so modest about your set up!!!.
so I should get this first is that right? http://tinyurl.com/b39x7m then add to it, like a camera http://tinyurl.com/d28mng and then for Home Securityhttp://tinyurl.com/clx694, this will all work with the ActiveHome Software Suite, plus the software from Tuicemen, to phone my Iphone...
David
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...so I should get this first is that right? http://tinyurl.com/b39x7m then add to it, like a camera http://tinyurl.com/d28mng and then for Home Securityhttp://tinyurl.com/clx694, this will all work with the ActiveHome Software Suite, plus the software from Tuicemen, to phone my Iphone...
You sure know how to shop!!! Don't forget to get a deal with some lamp and appliance modules and such http://www.x10.com/promotions/ur73a_ed_home_remote_lawg_0129.html. You can download the [limited] trial version of BVC now (http://www.wgjohns.com/bvc.htm) and have something to play with instead of sleeping tonight.
There will be other things to buy... EXPECT to have problems... remember to enjoy yourself.
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thanks Dave_x10_L for the info, I'm checking it out, the software seems easy enough to set up for voice, I love that, can you download other voices as well?
looking at a touch screen like your little screen you use to monitor everything with. anyone else use a touch screen with X10?
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- the software seems easy enough to set up for voice
- can you download other voices as well?
- looking at a touch screen like your little screen you use to monitor everything with. anyone else use a touch screen with X10?
- Don't forget I have a couple setup guides at my BVC Fan Site (http://www.davesdomainonline.com/bvc/bvc.htm)
- can you download other voices as well?
Yes... I use Kate16... but I just made a quick search and found nothing. I also like Vista's Anna.
- Everyone wants touch screens....I don't know of anyone using them yet.
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so guys a few questions again the x10 firecracker talks to the devices through the wiring of the house correct so does the ActiveHome Home Control Software Suite do the same ? or does it use wireless technology. Im going to start to order some stuff this weekend keeping it simple and let it grow from there.
Thanks
David
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so guys a few questions again the x10 firecracker talks to the devices through the wiring of the house correct
No. Firecracker is wireless (RF) ONLY.
AHP (CM15A) is wireless (RF) and PowerLine (PLC)
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;) Thanks Dave, you are a wealth of information..... #:)
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Ok So does the
AHP (CM15A) is wireless (RF) and PowerLine (PLC) need to be near my break box or can it be anywhere in the house, reason I'm asking is that I live in a basement sweet and realy dont have Access to my Breakerbox, I read on the forums someone who has it there near the breaker box....
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Ok So does the
AHP (CM15A) is wireless (RF) and PowerLine (PLC) need to be near my break box or can it be anywhere in the house, reason I'm asking is that I live in a basement sweet and realy dont have Access to my Breakerbox, I read on the forums someone who has it there near the breaker box....
No.... with apartments you can have special phase issue.... no matter what products you use.
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Ok So does the
AHP (CM15A) is wireless (RF) and PowerLine (PLC) need to be near my break box or can it be anywhere in the house, reason I'm asking is that I live in a basement sweet and realy dont have Access to my Breakerbox, I read on the forums someone who has it there near the breaker box....
No.... with apartments you can have special phase issue.... no matter what products you use.
so I could have problems then? and if so what kind? is it fixable ?
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so I could have problems then? and if so what kind? is it fixable ?
Absolutely you could (and most very likely will) have problems!
If you read through the forums... you will realize... X10 isn't plug and play. Even an old established setup... can run into unexpected problems most often caused buy a new device or device failure.
Are these problems fixable? I don't think I have ever seen even one person.. who kept at it... that didn't find a solution or work-around for their problem or problems. This isn't a kit... but it isn't rocket science ether.
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so I ordered the X10 HybridHome: Complete ActiveHome Pro System with FREE CFL Lamp Module, and will play with that before i make other purchases. so I will post my experiences here on how it goes...
thanks too all those who have been patent with me and my questions. :)
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so guys a few questions again the x10 firecracker talks to the devices through the wiring of the house correct
No. Firecracker is wireless (RF) ONLY.
AHP (CM15A) is wireless (RF) and PowerLine (PLC)
I saw this post earlier, where do get that AHP is wireless?
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I saw this post earlier, where do get that AHP is wireless?
I didn't mean to say (and don't think I did) that AHP was wireless. What I meant to express is that the CM15A interface (AHP) communicates using RF and PLC (both the wireless and powerline technologies). Whereas the Firecracker can only communicate using the RF technology.
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When Marconi developed radio (the "R" in "RF"), he referred to it as "Wireless".
;)
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Yes.
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Ok Operating System XP or Vista ? capture card? I have all just need to know what to put into it, my comp will run 24/7.
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When Marconi developed radio (the "R" in "RF"), he referred to it as "Wireless".
;)
Are you sure? I thought he said "Mr Watson, come here, I need you". ::)
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Ok Operating System XP or Vista ? capture card? I have all just need to know what to put into it, my comp will run 24/7.
Sorry astrothug this is all personal preference stuff.
I run XP on my HA (Home Automation) PC... because I own some XP's and XP is easier on the PC's resources. So I can use my old dust collectors.
Capture cards... some are using the capture cards... often without X10 cameras. I have used a Video IP server (self standing). If your new to X10, and cameras... I would go with the X10 Video adapter and X10 cameras. X10 intergrates seamlessly... and has a much smaller learning curve.
You will need AHP (Active Home Pro) which should come with the CM15A interface and a suite of software that will allow you to do more than you can imagine (if your new to this). I also use a third party software (http://forums.x10.com/index.php?board=36.0) (there are several) I am a big fan of BVC (http://davesdomainonline.com/bvc/bvc.htm).
X10 products doesn't limit you in any way as to what you can do with Home Automation. Explore the pages here at the forum... read the posts everyday for a few weeks. Get some basic X10 items and start your setup. Ideas on what to do... will come as you develop greater understanding of the technology. I am fond of saying: The use of Home Automation is limited... only by our imaginations.
When Marconi developed radio (the "R" in "RF"), he referred to it as "Wireless".
Are you sure? I thought he said "Mr Watson, come here, I need you". ::)
Why was Sherlock Holmes friend... over at Marconi's house.. helping him invent the phone?
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Thanks Dave I bought my stuff just waiting for the order now!! So I'm going to install on a fresh Install of win xp, and will order the full version of BVC. I have spent a lot of time on the site already and will keep doing so....
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I have spent a lot of time on the site already and will keep doing so....
Very cool astrothug .... And welcome aboard!
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Made donation to BVC just waiting to get the full version to try out... I think I'm addicted to X10 lol
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so today im in our local circuit city and found a few X10 under a different name nexxtech so i picked up a 1 Mini Controller (MC10A) and a Price
1 Lamp Module (LM465) plus a 1 X10 Appliance Module. they have a few X10 Wall Switches i might pick up tomorrow....
the wife after seeing the lights turn on and off from a switched is liking the idea.... :)%
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so today im in our local circuit city and found a few X10 under a different name nexxtech so i picked up a 1 Mini Controller (MC10A) and a Price
1 Lamp Module (LM465) plus a 1 X10 Appliance Module. they have a few X10 Wall Switches i might pick up tomorrow....
the wife after seeing the lights turn on and off from a switched is liking the idea.... :)%
Wow I wish we had a local store that sold this stuff.... So Circuit city? did you get it at a good deal since they are closing shop.. Our local store is done and closed sad but guess that's the time we live in now. To many stores selling all the same crap lol
Is the nexxtech stuff just X10 with a name change or do they look completely changed?
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so today im in our local circuit city and found a few X10 under a different name nexxtech so i picked up a 1 Mini Controller (MC10A) and a Price
1 Lamp Module (LM465) plus a 1 X10 Appliance Module. they have a few X10 Wall Switches i might pick up tomorrow....
the wife after seeing the lights turn on and off from a switched is liking the idea.... :)%
Wow I wish we had a local store that sold this stuff.... So Circuit city? did you get it at a good deal since they are closing shop.. Our local store is done and closed sad but guess that's the time we live in now. To many stores selling all the same crap lol
Is the nexxtech stuff just X10 with a name change or do they look completely changed?
yes exactly the same I picked up all the rest of the stuff they had... they were the last store in BC that any of the stuff I wanted...