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[Kstigg]

In the coming weeks I am looking to automate my newly constructed Home Theater. The purpose of this post is to check whether my limited knowledge on the subject is accurate before I take the financial leap.
  My primary goal of Automation is the audio, video, and several different lighting sources.  We'll start with the controller options:  I have basically decided to go with the Logitech Harmony 1100 Remote.  I was considering attempting the use of an Ipad, however my research showed that there were many bugs and the apps would be unreliable for my uses.  Can that be confirmed by anyone?  For the controller I am looking for it to be user-friendly, compatible with my other switches/adapters, and touch screen.  If anyone has any suggestions feel free.
  Next my Audio/Video I'm under the impression that the library for compatible products on the Harmony 1100 is very large, and as I don't have anything too obscure in that category I don't imagine I'll have an issue programming it.  If anyone knows otherwise, let me know please.
  Finally the category I really need help in is my lighting options.  My goal is to have accent lighting behind the TV, This will be rope lighting I believe. I need it to be accurately dimmable, and scene-capable.  My plan is to plug it into the "Icon Insteon-Compatible plug-in dimmer".  Would that work with my remote, and does anyone have suggestions on rope lighting?  The remainder of my lighting would be four recessed lights wired to the "Leviton DHC 600 W Scene Capable Dimmer" and a flush ceiling mounted fixture wired to a separate dimmer switch of the same type.  Would I be able to controls those lights separately, dim them to separate levels for different scenes?  After research I understand that I will need the "IR-543 Command Console" in order to change my IR signal to and RF signal.  I would like the RF signal for obvious reasons, my question is will that command console work with the all the products previously mentioned?
  That is the extent of my desires for the theaters automation.  I would appreciate any advice or suggestions anyone could offer on my chosen products and their compatibility with eachother. 

[Brian H]

The IR-543 does not translate an IR signal to RF. It takes an X10 IR signal and sends it back on the power line.
You would have to verify that the remote can send X10 IR commands.

X10 and Insteon protocol are not the same. Including their RF frequency. X10 is 310MHz and Insteon is 915MHz.

The Icon-Insteon LampLinc Dimmers can have a primary X10 Address added to them, but the latest revisions eliminated X10 Scenes. They still can do Insteon Scenes.

They do make an IR to Insteon module. I believe it used the NEC5 code set, but not 100% on that.

You should also verify the brand and model of the rope lights power can be used with a dimmer type device.

Almost all X10 and Insteon is power line signals for control.

You may also want to look in the Cocoontech forums as they do all styles of automation. Including Home Theater.
http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/

[Kstigg]

Cool thanks for the response.  I've been looking through the cocoon posts, seems very helpful.  I'll have to do some more research.  Can anyone suggest any compatible products with the Harmony 1100 remote that works fairly well.  I do need it to be scene capable, and cost effective.