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Author Topic: Need Different Software for Christmas Lighting  (Read 6055 times)

chrislitesdj

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Need Different Software for Christmas Lighting
« on: October 31, 2006, 11:56:25 PM »
I need to find a program besides active home to control Christmas lights. Ive checked out a program called Light-O-Rama, but its a hundred bucks! I prefer freeware similar to this program that I could maybe sync the lights to music with.
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steven r

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Re: Need Different Software for Christmas Lighting
« Reply #1 on: November 01, 2006, 12:37:08 AM »
In spite of some of its challenges, X10 has always provided the best bang for the buck.
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chrislitesdj

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Re: Need Different Software for Christmas Lighting
« Reply #2 on: November 01, 2006, 01:08:59 AM »
 :) Thats true, i love x10 activehome, but im considering using the cm11a interface and x10 modules with a diferent program that can control them in a frequently changing animation. the original active home has intervals of 1 minute. thats too long of a time period for what i need. :)
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steven r

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Re: Need Different Software for Christmas Lighting
« Reply #3 on: November 01, 2006, 08:48:39 AM »
I wish I could remember the software I used with my old CM11A. Of course it was DOS based but I helped beta test it so I was able to make several tweeking suggestions that I liked. I have no idea if the guy that wrote it is still around but he designed several unique features for it.

Good luck with your search! If there's anyone that knows of any alternate software, they'll be here.
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TakeTheActive

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Re: Need Different Software for Christmas Lighting
« Reply #4 on: November 01, 2006, 11:04:21 AM »
Quote from: chrislitesdj on October 31, 2006, 11:56:25 PM

I need to find a program besides active home to control Christmas lights...

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dave w

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Re: Need Different Software for Christmas Lighting
« Reply #5 on: November 01, 2006, 12:20:21 PM »
"...27,000 Christmas lights..." ?  :o
Wow, Andy is now on my pedestal. Must have plenty of money and time. Good for him...
(CON ED likes him also). ;)
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Dan Lawrence

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Re: Need Different Software for Christmas Lighting
« Reply #6 on: November 01, 2006, 02:01:58 PM »
Quote from: steven r on November 01, 2006, 08:48:39 AM
I wish I could remember the software I used with my old CM11A. Of course it was DOS based but I helped beta test it so I was able to make several tweeking suggestions that I liked. I have no idea if the guy that wrote it is still around but he designed several unique features for it.

Good luck with your search! If there's anyone that knows of any alternate software, they'll be here.

CM11A?  The software for it was Active Home, which is (and always has been) Windows based.  You must be thinking of the CP290, which was the first X10 interface/controller. The orginal software was DOS, but several authors produced shareware that ran on Windows 3.1/3.11 and 9X and addressed the 290. I started with the 290 (bought it at a Heath store in Baynesville (a Baltimore suburb) and used it through Win98, when it started loosing addresses. It was repleced by Active Home and the CM11A. When the PC was upgraded to XP that I went to Active Home Pro and the CM15A.
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steven r

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Re: Need Different Software for Christmas Lighting
« Reply #7 on: November 01, 2006, 02:12:22 PM »
Quote from: Dan Lawrence on November 01, 2006, 02:01:58 PM
...You must be thinking of the CP290, which was the first X10 interface/controller. The orginal software was DOS, but several authors produced shareware that ran on Windows 3.1/3.11 and 9X and addressed the 290....
That's correct. I got a bit confused.  :-[  I think I still have my CP290 somewhere.
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BVC let's me tell my camera where to go!
:) Murphy is my beta testing pal. He helps me find problems whether I like it or not. :)

chrislitesdj

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Re: Need Different Software for Christmas Lighting
« Reply #8 on: November 01, 2006, 05:15:20 PM »
i have a cm11a. Light-O-Rama is supposed to wrork with it, but i still cant find a similar cheap program.
« Last Edit: November 01, 2006, 07:32:13 PM by chrislitesdj »
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medvampire

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Re: Need Different Software for Christmas Lighting
« Reply #9 on: November 01, 2006, 10:22:27 PM »
Check out these links.
I have planned to build a 64 chanel controler and SRCs they have on the site for next year.

http://computerchristmas.com/

Here is the best freeware I have found to date

http://www.vixenlights.com/

For a quick SRC for this year you could get a Kit 74 and run off that runs off a parallel port.

http://webtronics.stores.yahoo.net/pcprinporrel.html
Hope this helps
Steve
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