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[meghanlynn]

For anyone who is an Ironman fan, I have been working on a J.A.R.V.I.S. computer system. Right now, I have it set up to control everything on my computer (music, videos, dictation, pretty much everything) by voice command. He even has some witty comebacks, tells my boyfriend to wake up when I get annoyed (he oversleeps ) and I am working on having him tell me the weather and news. The next step is to have it also be able to control my lighting and tv.

The problem I am having, is that all these automation products are making my head spin, and I cant figure out what I need. I have figured out infrared control for the tv and home theater, but the lighting is where I am getting caught up.

I am moving in a few days to a new apartment. The pro is that it is a small studio apartment, and I have heard that the x10 products, because they are older, have some reliability problems sometimes the longer the distance (correct me if I am wrong.) The big con is, it is basically a finished basement in a house, with other people living upstairs, so I cant mess with all the electrical stuff too much and it needs to only control my room.

Is there a way to use x10 or other automation products to just control the lighting and maybe a few other appliances in just that room, and without digging into too much electrical stuff? It needs to be able to be controlled by my pc. If so, can you please list the products that I would need. Thank you so much in advance for any help, I need it badly haha.

[pconroy]

X10 breaks down pretty simply.

You need some sort of Computer/Controller interface. The CM15A is the current interface (there are others).
The each lamp or appliance you want to control requires a Lamp Module or an Appliance Module.

Finally - you need software to make it all work.
If you're planning on using the ActiveHome Pro software from X10, it's windows based.  There's a SDK of some sort but I know nothing about it since I'm not a Windows user.

[Brian H]

You could also add to the list of things to consider. Some remotes for manual control over what the automated events are set to do.
Some choices would be exactly how you want it to work.

X10 signals can also be effected by power line signal problems. Distance can sometimes be one of the factors. Signal absorbers and noise makers could be another factor.

If you apartment area is on one or two branch circuits. The signals maybe fine. Around the whole home could have had different issues.

[dave w]

Because non of us know your precise needs and details, you might just go to X10.com and drill down through the "Automation" tab. The X10 website makes it sound like X10 automation/remote control  is "Plug-N-Play" and takes mere minutes to set up complete automation. That is a big streach. However it does give a good account of what the individual modules do i.e. control incandescent lamps, control appliances, contol of CFL and LED bulbs (some caviets apply, search "CFL" and "LED" on this fourm for a truer picture of controlling "green" bulbs).

Also X10 always has "package deals" which have great prices. You may not need everything in the package but it saves you money over individual purchases.

As stated above, it sounds like Active Home Pro software, the CM15A computer to powerline interface and a few Lamp modules and Appliance Modules would get you started. BTW AHP will also control the CM19A conputer to RF interface. IMHO the package using the CM15A is a better investment, although more costly.