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💬General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: birdzeye on June 20, 2010, 10:24:48 AM

Title: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: birdzeye on June 20, 2010, 10:24:48 AM
The x10 "panic" wrist watch was sitting on a table in the dining room for several days, so I thought that by now the cat had thoroughly checked it out and decided he wasn't interested anymore. (He just has to get his nose into everything new that comes into the house).

Low and behold the PS561 is triggered Sunday morning, sending an ear-piercing siren throughout the house, and waking me from a deep dream and well-deserved sleep in. Bug-eyed I manage to locate a remote to shut the damn thing off. In doing so, I find the cat high-tailing it across the dining room, from an area of the floor where he has left the "panic" wrist-watch strewn haphazardly like a dead mouse. The little "son-of-a-tabby" had pushed the button on the wrist-watch, triggering the alarm. And what's more, I think he did it on purpose to wake me up and feed him! It's not enough that he has a constant supply of kibble, he needs wet food too, and at no later than 7:30am!

Well, I guess I know the x10 system works now! rofl
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: dbemowsk on June 20, 2010, 01:30:34 PM
Great tail.  And TOO FUNNY.  I have cats and I know if they had the means and the chance that they would do the same to me.
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: Brian H on June 20, 2010, 01:47:51 PM
I wounder if X10 can now say. "So simple to use. Even a cat can do it"  :)%

Thanks for sharing your adventures.
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: HA Dave on June 20, 2010, 03:20:19 PM
The little "son-of-a-tabby" had pushed the button on the wrist-watch, triggering the alarm. And what's more, I think he did it on purpose to wake me up and feed him!

I am just thinking out-loud here... you could use a couple PalmPad remotes... modified with larger "buttons" (that would be easier for cat fingers/paws to press). Configured with a CM15A and a computer running 24/7 set to play wav files and/or voice announcements (when the cat buttons are pressed). I think... with a little effort and practice... there may be no limit as to how much the cat could train you to do.
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: bitman on June 20, 2010, 05:12:34 PM
.....Cats.

Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: dave w on June 20, 2010, 06:18:06 PM
Someday I shall complete the short story of "Dwarf Cat and One Eye's Escapades with a Palm Pad". A short story by O'Davey.

The last line of the story will read something like    "....and then the house crashed and had to be re-booted, but never seemed to be the same after that".   rofl
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: beelocks on June 20, 2010, 07:25:19 PM
All this messing about with modified cat operable buttons is ridiculous. Surely it should be possible to get BVCC* working to carry out almost any inconceivable task.


* Bill's Voice Commander for Cats
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: Brian H on June 20, 2010, 07:31:41 PM
Or BMC {Bills Meow Commander}  :)%
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: Knightrider on June 20, 2010, 07:35:59 PM
NO KIDDING!!!!!

There's a company out there working on Bark recognition for dogs (or barking cats).  I have already put in with Bill to develop a program that recognizes by the bark when the dog needs out.  With some simple pneumatics and an electronic door strike, I'll never have to let Brutus and Bette out in the middle of the night or back in.

Note to the burgular planning to record the dog's voice to gain entry:

I have a 20 ga. pretty handy, you have been warned.
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: dave w on June 20, 2010, 07:41:27 PM
 rofl
I'm too young to wear Depends, but if this keeps up.....
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: Knightrider on June 20, 2010, 08:05:41 PM
I vote to rename said Depends as BMC (Bowel Movement Control).
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: dave w on June 21, 2010, 01:39:54 PM
I vote to rename said Depends as BMC (Bowel Movement Control).
I'm on my way to Wal-Mart. :'

Seeing as this thread is in the "General" discussion I am going to switch tracks on this train and if any moderators want to derail my question I certainly understand since it is not X10 related.

Does anyone have any experience with Vizio LCD televisions? Vizio has not been around a long time (less than a decade I think?), and I am wondering about reliablity history. Sams Club has a 37 inch, 1080P, 120hz refresh, Vizio LCD for under $500 which would be a nice bedroom TV.

Thanks
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: birdzeye on June 22, 2010, 12:14:59 AM
Seeing as this thread is in the "General" discussion I am going to switch tracks on this train and if any moderators want to derail my question I certainly understand since it is not X10 related.

It's not x10 related, nor cute/stupid pet stories + x10 related. Come on people, I thought there'd be at least one other pets+x10-related story out there!  Instead, I get hijacked by Vizio tv.....which BTW I wouldn't spend that much on when you could get the same size in a better quality Sharp, Sony or LG for about the same price (at least where I am you could). Did you buy it?
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: -Bill- (of wgjohns.com) on June 22, 2010, 12:23:14 AM
I've never seen them do it myself, but my wife swears the cats like to use my Icon RF remote to change the TV channel.   rofl
 >!
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: pconroy on June 22, 2010, 01:28:59 AM
Does anyone have any experience with Vizio LCD televisions? Vizio has not been around a long time (less than a decade I think?), and I am wondering about reliablity history. Sams Club has a 37 inch, 1080P, 120hz refresh, Vizio LCD for under $500 which would be a nice bedroom TV.

Thanks

Vizio's are fine.
Once the low price leader, their quality (and price) has been moving up.
Their plasmas get good reviews.

Personally - I don't think their picture is as nice as some other brands but that's a personal preference.

As for longevity - heck - I think it's a   c**p shoot these days.
I'm old enough to remember when "Sony == Quality".
No more.  I suspect whether you go Panay, Sony, Samsung or Vizio - it prolly won't matter that much.

(Me? I'm not a big believer in extended warranties - but I will be buying one w/ my new Plasma.  :) )
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: HA Dave on June 22, 2010, 09:30:37 AM
...I thought there'd be at least one other pets+x10-related story out there! 

I am a known chipmunk hunter around my neighborhood. I was working in the garage just yesterday... when a chipmunk ran to the big open garage door. The tiny menace sat there and looked at me for a second... before running off [playfully].

I told my wife that my instints and first thought was to give chase to the critter. Thank God.. I've seen enough cartoons to know that was trap.

I was reminded of the Mole Machine post.. at the PowerFlash Mole detection device (http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=12487.msg69644#msg69644) thread. One of my favorite posts.
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: Alan V on June 22, 2010, 12:09:06 PM
Does anyone have any experience with Vizio LCD televisions? Vizio has not been around a long time (less than a decade I think?), and I am wondering about reliablity history. Sams Club has a 37 inch, 1080P, 120hz refresh, Vizio LCD for under $500 which would be a nice bedroom TV.

Thanks

I have a 37 inch 1080P Vizio (but not 120Hz).  I've had no problems with it.
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: jeffdharlan on June 22, 2010, 12:48:47 PM
I have also heard many good things about Vizio!
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: dave w on June 22, 2010, 02:51:58 PM
To all making Vizio comments, Thank You! Bought the 37 inch at Sams for $479. Happy with it so far.
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: HA Dave on June 22, 2010, 03:36:45 PM
Bought the 37 inch at Sams... Happy with it so far.

It's nice the prices are falling. But the really nice part is the weight... or lack of weight. My LCD replaced and old 36 inch tube TV... that was impossible for me to carry by myself. The flat panels are so much easier to handle.
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: dave w on June 22, 2010, 04:18:19 PM
Bought the 37 inch at Sams... Happy with it so far.

It's nice the prices are falling. But the really nice part is the weight... or lack of weight. My LCD replaced and old 36 inch tube TV... that was impossible for me to carry by myself. The flat panels are so much easier to handle.
Apparently plasmas use a lot glass. We have a 50 inch Samsung plasma that takes two adults and a boy to lift...I played the boy's part by carring the cord. Wife and neighbor lady got the rest.
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: HA Dave on June 22, 2010, 07:16:41 PM
Apparently plasmas use a lot glass. We have a 50 inch Samsung plasma that takes two adults and a boy to lift...

Size does matter. My 42 inch LCD was easy enough for one. But it would have been nice to have a... cord holder.
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: beelocks on June 22, 2010, 10:07:54 PM
The only problem I have with my 4 year old Vizio 32" is that it doesn't seem to like most pre-programmed universal remotes. Also the standard remote uses a button battery which only seem to last a week.

I know that's technically two problems, but it's been a long day.
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: dave w on June 23, 2010, 01:38:42 PM
The only problem I have with my 4 year old Vizio 32" is that it doesn't seem to like most pre-programmed universal remotes. Also the standard remote uses a button battery which only seem to last a week.

I know that's technically two problems, but it's been a long day.
Make sure you are setting down before reading...

My Icon remote only has two Vizio codes, but the second code controls the new TV just fine.

Birdseye, this is for you; I am doing a happy feet dance with "Dwarf Cat" and "One Eye" on the bed. (there I brought cat pets, X10, and Vizio back into the thread...all at once).  -:)
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: birdzeye on June 24, 2010, 08:37:43 AM
On the topic of TV's, I bought a smaller sized LCD TV a few months ago for the bedroom, and have found a dramatic increase in my hydro bill. I don't know if it's because of the TV or the fact that the cats are watching way more tv now than they used to...now that they can lounge on the bed and watch Animal Planet at the same time.... ;D
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: Brian H on June 24, 2010, 10:29:41 AM
My original model Icon also has two Vizio Codes and #2 works.

I think my 2.4 year old 26" Vizio LCD TV runs on a Linux Firmware Base. I know some router use Linux and you can find third party firmware for them.
Yesterday it failed to initialize on power up and there was a light Blue Screen. In the upper left corner was a sign on page for Red Hat Linux.  rofl

No I have basic cable and it was not a message from them. No Channel numbers or normal information displayed at turn on. Just the standby Amber Standby LED was off.
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: dave w on June 24, 2010, 04:42:04 PM
My original model Icon also has two Vizio Codes and #2 works.

Yesterday it failed to initialize on power up and there was a light Blue Screen. In the upper left corner was a sign on page for Red Hat Linux.  rofl

No I have basic cable and it was not a message from them. No Channel numbers or normal information displayed at turn on. Just the standby Amber Standby LED was off.
Oh good, just what I want to hear. Guess I should hustle over to Sams and see if they want to sell me an extended warrenty.

Good luck on fixing yours.
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: pconroy on June 24, 2010, 05:25:53 PM
Yesterday it failed to initialize on power up and there was a light Blue Screen. In the upper left corner was a sign on page for Red Hat Linux.  rofl

 rofl

Kind'a like flipping over every BluRay player these days and seeing "Powered by Java" on the back!

 rofl
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: Brian H on June 24, 2010, 06:11:07 PM
In the 2.4 years since I owned it.
This is the first time it has happend that way.
Two other times it just never started. One was about a month after owning it.
So random I almost think it is a timing thing. Who beats who and almost all the time it goes as plan.

Now if I could find the interface data for the Service Connector.  :'
Title: Re: Tails of x10 (meow!)
Post by: birdzeye on June 24, 2010, 08:25:49 PM
Once you get your Vizio codes for the remote working, you may get a little bit of a short shock...from your hydro bill....and I'm talkin' $$$ not volts!