Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[JeffO]

I've been working with a pile of X10 stuff and trying to figure it all out. After reading everything I can find; instructions, manuals, forums, wikis, etc.; I still can't figure out quite a few things. Here's something that should be a simple question, but I can't find the answer:

I understand the X10 works with one camera at a time. I read that they're supposed to be working in groups of four. I have read a lot about the on and off signals getting confused. From what I have read, if you have cameras on unit code 1-4, when you turn on one of them, the other three get "off" signals. But if you have more than 4 cameras, what happens then?

For example, if I have cameras on unit code numbers 1-10, when I select camera 2, an off signal gets sent to numbers 1, 3, and 4. When I then select camera 7, an off signal would get send to cameras 5, 6, and 8. But that would mean that camera 2 is still turned on, as it has never gotten any off signal, doesn't it?

I am asking because I am trying to set up a 16-camera system, but cannot get past signal issues. Yes, I've done the troubleshooting with cameras on a power strip, and everything works fine with 1-4 cameras. I have tried checking phase issues and other device issues. I one even had it working with 8 cameras, and it worked perfectly for about a day. But when I added four more cameras, the whole thing stopped working right and I'm back to the common issue of one image (or no image) for all cameras selected. I have tried using the Vanguard software and AHP. Yes, I have the transceiver (TM751) AND the ActiveHome plug-in box with an antenna. I just can't seem to find any way to send OFF signals to all the cameras at one time (Tools...Units Off has no effect).

[hawk1]

I would suggest going back to the 8 cameras that worked and see if they still do.  Also be advised that the tm751 will step on any x10 signal that the cm15 is sending.  It's not very polite.  After you get the 8 cameras working again, try adding one camera at a time and letting it run a while to see if it messes up.

16 camera setups are not impossible but... everything has to be just right.  I used to have 12 working together but it wasn't easy.  Mainly because the antennas are directional and the power signal from the cm15 wasn't going everywhere it needed to.  If you have the receiver in the middle of your house so all cameras can reach it than the antenna couldn't point to all of them.

I am now using a different receiver with an omni-antenna that I got a Wally World.  I was just lucky that it picked you my x10 camera frequency.  I also had to get a amplifier for my controller from Jeff Volp.  Much better reaction.  More power Captain.

[dave w]

For example, if I have cameras on unit code numbers 1-10, when I select camera 2, an off signal gets sent to numbers 1, 3, and 4. When I then select camera 7, an off signal would get send to cameras 5, 6, and 8. But that would mean that camera 2 is still turned on, as it has never gotten any off signal, doesn't it?

Yes, I have the transceiver (TM751) AND the ActiveHome plug-in box with an antenna. I just can't seem to find any way to send OFF signals to all the cameras at one time (Tools...Units Off has no effect).

I may not understand what you are asking, but hopefully this along with hawk's information, will help.

1. Yes
2. Basically you can not send OFF signals to all cameras at one time. With the exception of the special "All Off" or "All Lights On" commands (and these "All" commands are unique to the House Code), X10 can not send multiple commands at once. All signalling is sequential.

How many video receivers do you have? If only one, then you can have only one camera on at a time. Four receivers would permit up to four cameras on at a time, each transmitting on one of the four receiver frequencies.

[JeffO]

Thank you for the ideas. Perhaps I will work on some antenna modifications to get more omni-directional parts.

I do get the idea that I can only have one camera on at a time. I just can't figure out how its supposed to work, so I can't seem to narrow down my problems. If I select camera five after previously viewing camera one, does any part of the system send an off signal to camera one? It doesn't appear so, from what I've read, which implies that an effect camera system with more than four cameras just isn't going to ever work just right.

I'll keep playing.

[dave w]

If I select camera five after previously viewing camera one, does any part of the system send an off signal to camera one? It doesn't appear so, from what I've read, which implies that an effect camera system with more than four cameras just isn't going to ever work just right.

Since I do not have X10 cameras I should not be responding, but, if you are using four of the "Scan Remote" Palm Pad style wireless remote controls for your camera control of 16 cameras.... I believe you are correct.

However using the CM15A with the AHP software, I believe you should be able to set up macros to turn OFF the previously selected camera when you select a new camera.

[hawk1]

The AHP software will automatically turn off all other cameras if your using the software to control them.  But like dave said if using the remote you have to turn the previous camera off if the camera you selected to view is not in the group of 4 (1,2,3,4) (5,6,7,8)(9,10,11,12).  So in other words if you are viewing cam1 and want to view cam2 then you do not have to use the remote to turn off cam1.

But if you are viewing cam1 and want to view lets say cam5 then you would have to use the remote to turn cam5 on then use the remote to turn cam1 off.  Hope I explained this right.    Hope this helps.

[Brian H]

Can't say about AHP, but the group information looks correct. Turn on any camera in the group of four the other three go off. Out of the Group you have to turn off the first one before turning on the other.
The CR12A as you mentioned does one group of four units.
The CR13A can do all sixteen units; if I read the web page correctly.
http://www.x10.com/products/x10_cr13a.htm#9d4cb.5971