X10 Community Forum
🛡Home Security => Home Security General => Topic started by: Mr. Jones on May 10, 2011, 12:16:28 PM
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A couple of quick questions for the boards. I have an old computer running Windows 98 and wanted to put it to use as a recording devise for my X10 cameras. I have a second home that is very remote and I only get to it every two weeks (in the summer months). I have the X10 cameras all set up with motion detectors and it has been working for about a year now using the VCR commander. The issue I’m having is once the tape hits the end, it rewinds and records over stuff I haven’t had a chance to look at. At times, I can only see a day or two, especially in the summer. I’ve been reading through the boards and see that there is a lot of problems with X10’s software. I saw some posts from “guitardood” who had some third party free software but it was a little over my head. Is there some easy way for me to make this happen? Would somebody be willing to help? Also, will I be able to set how long the cameras stay active after motion stops? The VCR commander records for 5 minutes and there is no way of changing it. Man I wish there was! How much hard drive space/size would I need to cover two weeks time or more, like even up to a month? I don’t have internet access up there either. Thanks so much for any replys!
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A list of all the equipment you have would help us help you. And what X10 software you have if any. I'm sure there is a way if you have the right equipment! >!
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The ActiveHome Pro software with the iwatchout (video)plug-in should work for you.
I never had much luck with video capture but found the auto stills feature set to a low interval worked fine for me!
Note: You need a internet connection to install but you could bring the PC home for that!
>!
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Hawk1;I have 3 wireless cameras and I don't have the model numbers. 3 wireless montion sensors. A VCR Commander 2. A wireless video reciever, and a regular Transceiver. Let me know if you need more info.
Tuicemen; being in sales for X10 I understand your motive but as i mentioned...From the posts I see, there are major problems with your software. I don't have time to play games with software programs that don't work. I HATE computers as it is.
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Exactly what software are you talking about?
Both AHP and iwatchout are X10s programs.
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I don't work for X10, As many users asume.
Note my tag line! ;)
This is why I stated to use the auto stills function.
With that said I do have software I created that will control cams and record.
However I'll let users of said software give it the thumbs up or down as I personaly don't use the function!
>!
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Sorry my bad Tuicemen!!!! I'm new here so looking at your info, it mentions you as a admin. So i thought you worked for X10. Also you mentioned one of X10's products again that's why I assumed. Sorry! You sound like a go to guy if you write your own programs etc. Still's would be a way to go but moving video would be the way I perfer. I just don't want to waste a lot of hard drive space capturing 5 minute chunks. Sometimes a car goes by and that it. I afraid if I use the still mode, I'll just miss a snapshot or only see only half a person if the sensor is slow to react. Thaks for all your help folks!!!!!
Brian H; I assume your talking to Tuicemen, correct?
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No Problem, Your not the first to make the mistake!
Check the thirdparty software section!
There are several free and trial software links and info there! (even mine)
Some may do what your looking for.
You may also wish to look at Blueiris (http://blueirissoftware.com/) and combine it with another thirdparty software to get all the X10 features your looking for!
As for getting help seting something up.
Thats what the forum is here for!
>!
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Mr. Jones; do you have a va11 or va12 video adapter or some other way to get the video to your computer? If you don't then that would number 1 to get. Then like Tuicemen said there is numerous Third Party Video Software that could try.
Tuicemen's PC Commander has video recording capabilities, as does a program called Vitamin D. Vitamin D's software is a free for one camera, which with X10 is all you need because you can only have one on at a time.
But Tuicemen's software has a lot more functions and features.
Just my 2 cents. :)
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Just a quick follow up on Hawk1s post!
A VA11a or Va12A isn't necessary for most video software even mine.
However some form of video capture device is needed.
Just beware some capture hardware only works with the manufacturers software.
>!
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In the for what it is worth category....
I spend enough money on X-10 cameras and software, and was consistently disappointed. X-10 HA in general I can work with, but finally gave up on their video setups.
Best decision I ever made. There is SO much GOOD stuff out there that can run standalone and with MUCH hgher resloution and with IR illumination that X-10 has ever offered.... and for about the same price, overall. Much better built in motion detection available from tyhe scene in the cams themselves ! HD recording!
My advice to oyu andanyone else looing into video is DITCH x-10. Crummy older stuff that is 3 generations behind.
Try geeks.com, or Q-See, or a zillion other places. You will be happy you did.
Chris
ps. Also dirch 2.4 Mhz wireless. Bite the bullet and go wired. Another great decision for me.
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Totally agree 100% with glacier991 about x10 video.
I have used and played with x10 products over 10 years+ here. It gives me some fun...I'd recommend my bud to used x10 module, cm15a, ahp, BUT will absolutely not x10 video. VA12A is a joke and buggy.
Go to Costco, or google and check out q-see, swan, ...etc. They are much more better and friendly use and smartphone comparable, build in DVR with motion, audio....
P.L
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Thanks for all the great feedback folks! I really do appricate it! Since I already have my X10 cameras set-up I think I'll continue to use them so I get my money out of them. Later I'll upgrade and check out the suggestions that glacier991 made.
Hawk1; is the VA11A/VA12A an X10 product? Or is it something I can go out and buy? And will it work with my X10 system? I'm a little if'y because of phongluu comments. The reason being, I don't get much time up there and I don't want to spend a whole weekend messing with a computer. Just so you know, I know enough to get around on computers but I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed.
Tuicemen; All I need is some way to get the video signal out of the video receiver into my computer right? Almost like a firewire port/card? Also, like I said I'm new here so, which product is your? Or do i just search for your posts and sift through them?
Again, I'm very greatful for all the support I'm getting from you guys.
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Yes, the va11 or va12 is an X10 product. You can use it with almost any video recording software. I use Blue Iris and iHouse to control my cameras. Sometimes I use Vitimin D and Tuicemen's PCC.
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You'll need some sort of Video capture device some video cards have a video input built in.
My Software is PcCompanion as Hawk1 stated PCC
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I looked at the VA12A on X10's site, and it's more of a package. All I need is that adaptor. All the other stff I have. $80 for a video adaptor seems a bit high. It also mentions that it comes with the Vanguard software. Which we talked about doesn't work. So, I'll not use Vanguard and just download PCC instead? Tuicemen, you created that software (PCC)? Very impressive!!!! If I do get stuck, would you guys be willing to help? Also, as I mentioned before that I don't have internet access up there but it will store stills and or video on the hard drive? Does PCC run on Windows 98? I'll look at that old computer this weekend to see what I have again. Then I'll plug it in and download PCC.
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LOL thanks!
It has been awhile since I test ran PCC on 98 you'll need net.framework 3.5 not sure if that will load on 98.
If I remember right net.framework stopped support for 98 at version 3 ::) :'
You may need to find a copy of XP to load on that machine.
Also if you decide to get a usb capture device your machine most likely won't support USB 2.
A trip to a used PC shop may be in your future! ;)
Once windows stopped supporting 98 others soon followed. :'(
>!
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I just looked on e-bay and you can get a VA11A USB1 capture device for $39
>!
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I fired up the windows 98 system (my first computer from 2001) and found out it is working. :)% It has 128MB of Ram lol Could this old system from 2001 handle a program like windows XP? I have all the disc.'s from my second computer (from 2005) that was running XP, can I just use those to load on my 2001 machine? Or is that illegal? Also, can someone post a link that would show me how to reimage a computer?
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You Don't state which version of XP you have.
nore do you state the specs for your old PC other then ram.
The min specifications for XP Home and Pro are:
min 64mb ram(though you need much more for video)
min 1.5 gig hard drive
(The biggy is the processor) Min pentium 233MHZ
Reimaging (http://www.ehow.com/how_5639948_reimage-computer.html)
>!
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Another thing that needs to be clear is that if your XP is a Dell or other brand name cd/dvd it probably won't work. If it is a Genuine Microsoft Boxed Version of XP and as long as you meet the system requirements for XP (as Tuicemen stated) then it should work as long as your not using the same XP cd on another computer. (unless you have a multi-license cd).
Also a lot people think that their recovery cd's are the actual Microsoft product. They do have the operating system on them, but they also look for the components that came with the computer that is was made for. In other words, if you insert a Dell XP cd in your HP computer it will most likely tell you "NO". Just my 2 cents.
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Good point Hawk1!
I often forget that even though I experianced it my self with my brother inlaws PC.
We tried to place the OS on a new PC as the old one had blew up!. ::) :'
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Wow guys, I can't thank you enough. Really! You guys hit the nail on the head. The 2001 computer was a Dell (running 98 because 2000 was running like crap) so was the 2005 computer running XP. So much for that. Any suggestions?
Also I was looking at the properties (right clicked on "my computer") on the 2001 computer. That is where I got the 128MB ram info...How do I find out the rest of the info on the computer that you guys are asking about. I kind of remember something under the "Run" command?
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Usualy when a PC boot it supplies this info. but it should also be found by right clicking the MyComputer and under Computer first should be the Processor then memory.
for the drive space Right click on your C: and go to properties it will show you used and free space as well as total.
You use to be able to get a oem XP disk if you bought a new Harddrive although I think XP is hard to find now.
In anycase check your local used PC shop.
Take the info about your PC and see how you can update it you may not be at the max mem or CPU for that machine and they may have a copy of xp floating around. In any case you most likely will want a larger hard drive.
They may also have a cheep XP box that will be cheeper then updating your old PC.
>!
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They may also have a cheep XP box that will be cheeper then updating your old PC.
>!
I think Tuicemen hit it on the nose! Finding a used XP pc would probably be your best bet. You'll probably end up spending the same amount or less than you would upgrading and trying to get it all to work. :)
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I'll look at my now 2001 PC and post the spec.'s to see if it'll even run XP like you guys suggested. Then I'll look around and see what I can find on my end as an old PC.
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Just install Linux, Apache and Zoneminder, done. Zondeminder is a complete video security solution and has X10 integration so you can have it run X10 events whenever motion is triggered. This is what I use.
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Deemar, do you have a va11 driver for linux?
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I'm not really sure what a VA11 is, is it some sort of video converter cable? I just have my cheap $5 webcam plugged directly into my computer via USB, nothing more to it. Zoneminder takes care of everything.
www.zoneminder.com
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The va11 is X10's usb video capture adapter. They also have a va12. That's the problem with using Linux and Zoneminder is trying to find/and install a working device driver for it.
Don't get me wrong here, I love Linux and am using Mochad driver for the cm15, along with another cm15 and iHouse. But getting X10's va11 or va12 has always been a pain to try and setup in Linux.
If anybody has an easy way of doing this I would like to know. But as far as I know this is not for the average Windows user to tackle. Just my 2 cents. :)
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Hawk1 is fair in saying I'm an average windows user. I would like to make this as easy as i can. This is the 2001 computer spec.'s (run/dxdiag) you guys asked about. I'll be offline this weekend up at the house. I'll also get all the X10 product names and numbers you asked about earlier too.
2001 Computer
Pentium 3 930MHz
32Bit
128 RAM
Video Card: Radeon 9000 Pro family Rev1/ Total Memory 127MB
System Resources 60% free
Let me know if you need any other info from that computer.
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The va11 is X10's usb video capture adapter. They also have a va12. That's the problem with using Linux and Zoneminder is trying to find/and install a working device driver for it.
Don't get me wrong here, I love Linux and am using Mochad driver for the cm15, along with another cm15 and iHouse. But getting X10's va11 or va12 has always been a pain to try and setup in Linux.
If anybody has an easy way of doing this I would like to know. But as far as I know this is not for the average Windows user to tackle. Just my 2 cents. :)
Device drivers are all built into the Linux kernel so you don't need to install anything. Plug in your webcam, install Zoneminder and you're done. And why do you need a capture device? Just plug the USB camera right into the computer.
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Deemar: Mr Jones has 3 cameras he wishes to feed into the PC not a single web cam thus a capture device is needed. these cameras don't have a USB connection.
Mr Jones: your going to need to find out what type of memory and the maximum it can hold as 128 won't be enough to get the video results your looking for.
Also you'll need a large hard drive to hold all your video.
>!
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So, that computer will not run XP?
My brother may have an old computer running XP. He just needs a hard drive. Will the hard drive I have in the 2001 computer be enough? If and only if it's compatible of course.... Or do we need to find another one? What size do you suggest for hold/capturing large amounts of video clips? Does your program PCC allow me to set the amount of time I want it to record, after a sensor is tripped?
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Your 98 pc might run XP but you won't be happy with it. It will be slow as a snail! And you probably won't be able to record any video that is worth watching. Your ram(memory) really needs to be bumped up. I would suggest at least 1 gig if you are going to capture video.
Hard drives are fairly cheap now a days. You can use www.pricewatch.com to find one for your pc, which is probably IDE interface. I have a 40gig hard drive on my pentium 4 machine with 1 gig of ram and does fairly well. But it all depends how much video your going to be recording before you can review it and delete the clips you don't want. If your not going to review for a while that I would suggest a bigger hard drive.
That being said though, one needs to realise that recording video can eat up your hard drive space quick. Depending on what kind of settings you use.
One thing you can do is get the model number of your (Hp) I think you said and go to hp's website and check the specs on it. It should tell you the max amount of ram(memory) and what kind that can be put in your machine. Again, you can go to your local used pc store or to www.pricewatch.com for memory as well.
After looking all this up you might want to compare "upgrading verses used xp box". I personally think I would go to a used pc store and see what they had to offer. If you do choose to buy a used pc make sure you either get the actual XP cd or recovery cd's for it. You want to be careful about the XP cd's though, there is a lot of counterfeit cd's out there.
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Deemar: Mr Jones has 3 cameras he wishes to feed into the PC not a single web cam thus a capture device is needed. these cameras don't have a USB connection.
Oh......I didn't know non-USB cameras existed. They're just composite? For all the headaches they are introducing and limitations, would it be beneficial to replace them with USB cameras that allow for cheap upgrades? Zoneminder lets you use as many cameras as you want.
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Hawk1 thanks for the suggestions. My brother did get back to me and his processor is 2 gig's, running XP. I'll look into his RAM when I get back into town. He has his copy of XP so what i think I'm going to do is, what you suggested. I'll go out and buy a new hard drive (maybe 60 gig's) and use that machine. Anything I'm missing? Totally awesome community boards here!!! I would have never gottin this far if it weren't for your guys help! Thanks
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You can get a 400 gig hard drive on www.pricewatch.com for 40 bucks. Lot's more space for video.
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You can get a 400 gig hard drive on www.pricewatch.com for 40 bucks. Lot's more space for video.
I just bought a terabyte drive last week for $55 from Memory Express (www.memoryexpress.com). You might as well get that.
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Went to the site. Didn't see an 1tb internal EIDE hard drive. Had some externals but I think if I was going to use a usb x10 video capture device I would give it all the bandwidth it could handle. Especially on an older pc. Just my 2 cents though. :)
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Okay, here is the system that I have up there right now.
3 XCAM2 Cameras
3 MS16A Activeeye Motion Sensors
1 VR36A Video Receiver
1 UX23a VCR Commander
1 TM751 Small Wireless Transceiver
Is there any else I'll need to up grade besides the VA11A/VA12A?
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Also remember that older computer hardware. May have a hard drive size limit. In its BIOS.
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What your saying is.... I may not be able to put a 500 gig hard drive in it?
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http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/crm/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=213511&NewLang=en&Hilite=Size+Limits
Man! Can anything be easy when it comes to computers? Thanks for the info.
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If it supports LBA then you should be fine.
I maybe using my way back machine for my memories.
Also is your XP SP1 or higher? I believe original XP was 137 GBs and SP1 added 2TB support.
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Like i said, it's my brothers and I've yet to check it out.
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Let us know what you find out.
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Went to the site. Didn't see an 1tb internal EIDE hard drive. Had some externals but I think if I was going to use a usb x10 video capture device I would give it all the bandwidth it could handle. Especially on an older pc. Just my 2 cents though. :)
IDE? Holy, do yourself a favour and switch over to SATA, especially if you're processing video.
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Just as a heads up, and I hope I didn’t lose my list of helpers here….I did get a hold of the computer and bought a 500 gig hard drive that I am still waiting to have installed. Is there anything else I need to purchase, to get what I already have working with the “PCC” program and the computer? I’m looking for a VA-11A or a VA12A right now.
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I just bought a VA11A for $10 new. Woo Hoo! ;D
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I just bought a VA11A for $10 new. Woo Hoo! ;D
good find!
now the fun will start! ;)
>!
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I'm glad to see that you are still with me! I hope you are kidding when you say "now the fun starts". I still have your stills option as a back up solution, don't I? I find that I get a day or two of record time on the VCR Commander after being gone over a time frame of a week. I'm hopeful the video option will work but knowing I can still grab photos will be better than what I have right now. Can I change the time of the record length with your software program?
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Yes I was kidding! ;)
However some users do get frustrated setting up camera record software.
and sometimes configuring windows to see the VA11A can be a bit tricky but I posted a walk threw on the forum incase.
PcCompanion video capture was created for users of it and I personaly don't use any video capture software for capturing.
With that said PCC was designed to work with motions sensors and start recording when motion is detected and stop when motion is not.
I never added the option to continue recording X seconds after motion was lost.
However I may look at adding that option when I get back into my programing cycle!
PCC still has the stills capture option and can take a snap shot every X seconds while motion is detected.
Other software have this option as well if PCC fails to work for you to your satisfaction.
>!
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Can you post the link for the walk through? I didn't see it on your thread.
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the VA11A install walk through is posted in the Active Home Pro section as this is where the issue first appeared.
However you'll need to download and install the X10 USB Video Drivers from the x10 software download page. (http://www.x10.com/support/support_soft1.htm)
if windows fails to see the va11a or it doesn't work then you can follow the install steps from here:
http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=8083.msg49642
>!
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For the benefit of education for all who want to do this too, I decided to post an offline chat I had with a fellow poster.
After I bought the VA11A I had this chat;
I plug the VA11A out of the Wireless Receiver's yellow jack, and plug it into my usb drive on my computer, correct? Do I have to do anything to the computer to make it see the X10 equipment? Or does it act just like a drive or any other flash drive?
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Setup of the VA11A is as you discribed
However you will need the x10 video drivers.
Once that is installed and windows can see the va11a conected PCC will be able to use it.
Do you have a cm15a or cm19a in your setup?
How many cammeras are you going to be using and how will they turned on/off.
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Can I get the video drivers from X10's website? Do you know where/link?
I have the TM751 Tranceiver. Will this piece still work with the PC?
I have three cameras with Eagle eye motions sensers.
Anything else you can think of that I'm missing?
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I think your going to need a cm15a or Cm19a (cm15 is better.comes with AHP included)
http://www.x10.com/promotions/sw31a_activehome_hmp.html?feat6 you may find it cheeper.
else there will be no way PCC will see motion signals to tell when to start recording and when to stop.
drivers for the VA11A can befound on the software download page
http://www.x10.com/support/support_soft1.htm
you'll need the SDK redistibutionable files as well so PCC can talk to a CM15A or Cm19a
http://www.activehomepro.com/sdk/sdk-info.html
download the complete installation package.
PS Am i forgetting anything?
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Hello everybody! Sorry I dropped off the face of the earth there but I had an emergency drop in my lap back in June. I am now ready to try this experiment. I was reading over this post again to refresh my memory and I think I’m going to buy the CM15a right from X10. It’s only $49 plus, I get a couple of other things (I don’t what they are) with it too. Is this software even work? It say’s it’s new but is it really?
This is all the stuff I have. Please let me know if I need anything else. Like I said in my original post, I’m doing this in a remote place with no access to the net.
CR12a Camera remote control
IN80A Xcam2 Primer
MS16A (3) ActiveEye Motion Sensor
TM751 Wireless Transceiver
VR36A Wireless Video Receiver
XX20A (3) NightWatch Wireless Low light Cameras (which are not good in low light at all!)
VA11A PC Video/USB 2.0 Adapter Kit
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I found a pdf file of the manual for the CM15a. I'm a bit confused.....Do I really need this devise? It says it's for controlling lights and stuff. All I want to do is record my (3) X2cams that have motion detectors. Or is it really the transceiver (for lack of a better word) I need to talk to the computer? Any help would be appreciated!
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Depending on what software you choose to use to record your video you maybe able to do with out the CM15A.
However this most likely would result in one long video file, perhaps with nothing on it.
The cm15a will see info from your motion sensors and tell the computer to start/stop recording.
This would make a new video file for each ocurrance.
>!
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Hey! Thanks for getting back to me! I'm going to be using PCC and most likey use the still option because the video feature is a little different as I was told. ;) Unless you have a another suggestion? Okay I will buy the CM15A. Should I even bother with the software (AHP)? I mean if I use PCC is there a reason to even load the software from x10?
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IF you use PCC you don't need the ActiveHome Pro installed however you will need to install the SDK as that's what PCC uses to comunicate with the CM15a.
Other camera software will most likely require this as well to switch the cams.
>!
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What is SDK?
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Sorry thought that was covered before ::) :'
http://www.activehomepro.com/sdk/sdk-info.html
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lol Yes, you are right, I did pass over that part of the tread. Ok I'll download that too.
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Okay! I got the CM15A today and jumped online with the new computer (ok, old computer running XP from my brother with a 500 gig harddrive) and downloaded everything I think I needed. I downloaded the SDK, AHP, and PCC. I opened AHP and it gave me a error (already!). It say's that the AHP interface isn't plugged into the computer. So, I plugged the CM15A into the a different USB port. The computer say's it found new hardware on both the first USB port I tried and the second. So, that is a question....When it says interface, is it talking about the CM15A? If it's not talking about the CM15A, what interface is it talking about? Or, just ignore this and leave it alone because I plan on using PCC? Also what is the VA11A for? The CM15A plugs into an outlet, and then connects to the computer via USB. Also, I'm sure it's there, but where can I find the manual for PCC? You're right Tuicemen, now the fun starts! Just kidding not frustrated yet! Looking forward to feedback because I'm going to ty this this up coming weekend. Thank Guys!
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The va11a is the video capture device and must be plugged into a usb port.
If you got the video pluging with AHP that may be the issue as AHP would be looking for it.
The manual for PCC is in it's main folder there is a link to it from the options screen of PCC.
>!
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Okay got it. I had to remember how I have the old system hooked up again. I forgot about the little wireless receiver with the yellow RCA plug on it. I also forgot the drivers for the VA11A too. ooop's!
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Whew! Okay, first question....Should I post my experience here on this thread, or should I post it in a new thread or find one that pertains to my situation? Post coming soon.
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You can post it in another thread that pertains to your situation or here since it most likely stems from trying to use the computer as a recording device.
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I'll post a new thread here calling it "using a computer as a recording device 2". That way if they want to move it they can. I'll post it at lunch...busy morning.